Department of Health and Social Care

Smoking: Health Services

Ben Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 15 March 2019 to Question 229719, what the most effective smoking cessation aids are; and what steps the Government is taking to promote those aids.

Jackie Doyle-Price: There is a range of effective stop smoking treatments available in the United Kingdom. Licensed nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), particularly different products used in combination, increases the rate of quitting by 50% to 60%. The research findings are available in a report at the following link: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000146.pub5/full The prescription medicine Bupropion has similar efficacy to NRT, and Varenicline increases the chances of long-term quitting success between two and three times compared to a quit attempt without the use of a stop smoking aid. The research findings are available in a report at the following links: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000031.pub4/abstract https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006103.pub7/full

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to abolish NHS prescription charges; what assessment he has made of the (a) cost to the NHS of medical complications arising from people not obtaining prescribed medication for (i) asthma (ii) other conditions because of prescription charges and (b) costs of administering exemptions for prescription charges; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department has no current plans to abolish prescription charges. Prescription charges are a valuable income source for the National Health Service, contributing £575.9 million in revenue for the financial year 2017/18. This funding is particularly important given the increasing demands on the NHS. Extensive arrangements are already in place to help people afford NHS prescriptions. These include a broad range of prescription charge exemptions, for which someone with asthma may qualify. Information on the cost of administering exemptions for prescription charges is not available in the format requested. Information provided by the NHS Business Services Authority, on the forecast cost of its administration of exemption services relating to NHS prescription charges in 2018-19 is available in the following table. ServiceForecast NHS Business Services Authority Administration Cost in 2018-19NHS Low Income Scheme£3,915,548NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificates£1,335,156Prescription pre-payment certificates Maternity exemption certificate Medical exemption certificates£6,885,785 Notes:The data provided for 2018-19 is forecast, based on 11-month actuals, but is subject to change.This information is only based on the NHS Business Services Authority administrative cost relating to NHS prescription charges. However, there are other organisations involved in the administration of exemptions.

Primary Health Care

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the recommendations in the report, No room at the inn: how easy is it for nomadic Gypsies and Travellers to access primary care, published by Friends, Families and Travellers in March 2019, what steps he is taking to improve access to primary care for (a) Gypsies and Travellers, (b) homeless people, (c) vulnerable migrants and (d) people in contact with the criminal justice system; and if he will make a statement.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Registering with and access to primary medical care services is the same for all patients, whether they are gypsies, travellers, homeless or vulnerable migrants. People do not need to provide proof of address to register with a general practice (GP). NHS England is working with a range of community groups to redesign the patient registration leaflet so that people are aware of this when registering. The free NHS 111 service can assist anyone who has faced difficulty finding a GP or accessing other services in their local area. NHS England is aware the challenges some individuals have faced when trying to register with a GP and is taking steps to address shortcomings with individual practices, working in partnership with the voluntary sector. The majority of people in touch with the criminal justice system are in the community and therefore their engagement with primary care services will sit within the responsibility of clinical commissioning groups. For the prison population (approx 86,000) there are primary care services commissioned by NHS England which works to the principle of equivalence and are mandated to deliver a comprehensive health assessment and a treatment pathway for the time an individual remains in custody to ensure that their health needs are identified and met quickly and effectively. There is a very real recognition by health commissioners that the point of release from custody results in the potential for a person to lose any health gains made whilst in custody due to a change in their health care provider and a failure for a natural pathway for a continuity of healthcare post release. To this end and included in the NHS Long Term Plan, NHS England Health and Justice commissioners are developing a RECONNECT provision which would support a care pathway being identified for people leaving prison so that the engagement with community health providers are brokered prior to them leaving prison and to support them to access these in the community. This provision is planned to be rolled out across reception and resettlement establishments from 2020. During the last 12 months NHS England has been undertaking a programme of work into identifying and addressing the health and social care needs of Gypsy, Romany and Travellers (GRT) in the criminal justice system, incorporating lived experience. The primary focus of the work is improving the healthcare of GRT communities who are within the criminal justice system, including access to primary care, addressing long-term health inequalities and exploring issues of exclusion, discrimination and harassment. NHS England is currently developing a range of learning and practice improvement tools for health and other partners and will be followed by learning and improvement events.

Pupils: Contraceptives

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance he has issued to schools on the potential adverse effects of emergency contraception being provided to girls under the age of 16 (a) by school staff and (b) on school premises.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Advice to healthcare professionals, local commissioners and providers of healthcare on the provision of emergency contraception to girls under the age of 16 is contained in recommendation 5 of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) public health guideline on sexually transmitted infections and under-18 conceptions prevention and recommendation 9 of the NICE public health guideline on contraceptive services for under 25s. The guidelines can be viewed on the NICE website at the following links: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph3/chapter/1-Recommendations https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph51/chapter/1-Recommendations In addition, the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) has published clinical guidance for health professional on the use of emergency contraception. This guideline covers potential adverse side effects and is available on the FSRH website at the following link: https://www.fsrh.org/documents/ceu-clinical-guidance-emergency-contraception-march-2017 The Department has not issued separate guidance to schools on this issue.

Life Expectancy: Disadvantaged

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the statement in Public Health England’s report entitled A review of recent trends in mortality in England, that whatever is causing the reduction in the rate of improvement in life expectancy, it is affecting the most deprived areas more than the least deprived areas, and that widening health inequalities have exacerbated the slowdown in improvement.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Preventing ill health is the best way to improve life expectancy and our ambition is to give everyone five more healthy, independent years of life by 2035 whilst narrowing the gap between the experience of the richest and poorest. We are already taking action to reduce inequalities in smoking, child obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease and to improve uptake of cancer screening. Later this year we will publish a Prevention Green Paper which will set out cross-Government plans for prevention in greater detail. The NHS Long Term Plan sets out new, funded, action the NHS will take to strengthen its contribution to prevention and health inequalities. NHS England will base its five-year funding allocations to local areas on more accurate assessment of health inequalities and unmet need. As a condition of receiving Long Term Plan funding, all major national programmes and every local area across England will be required to set out specific measurable goals and mechanisms by which they will contribute to narrowing health inequalities over the next five and 10 years.

Life Expectancy: Disadvantaged

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the implications for the Government's policies of the conclusion in Public Health England’s report entitled A review of recent trends in mortality in England, that those who have been most affected by the change in trend in mortality are those with the least resources, those living in deprived decile areas, which could indicate a role for government spending.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Preventing ill health is the best way to improve life expectancy and our ambition is to give everyone five more healthy, independent years of life by 2035 whilst narrowing the gap between the experience of the richest and poorest. We are already taking action to reduce inequalities in smoking, child obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease and to improve uptake of cancer screening. Later this year we will publish a Prevention Green Paper which will set out cross-Government plans for prevention in greater detail. The NHS Long Term Plan sets out new, funded, action the NHS will take to strengthen its contribution to prevention and health inequalities. NHS England will base its five-year funding allocations to local areas on more accurate assessment of health inequalities and unmet need. As a condition of receiving Long Term Plan funding, all major national programmes and every local area across England will be required to set out specific measurable goals and mechanisms by which they will contribute to narrowing health inequalities over the next five and 10 years.

Telemedicine

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if will make a comparative assessment of the demographic profiles of (a) patients (i) being given and (ii) attending appointments at virtual clinics and (b) patients attending face-to-face appointments, including (A) age, and (B) ethnicity characteristics.

Jackie Doyle-Price: We are unable to make an assessment of the demographic profiles of patients as this information is not collected centrally.

Telemedicine

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment he has made of the effect of virtual clinic appointments relative to face-to-face appointments on (a) patient-clinician communication, (b) time to diagnosis, (c) time to treatment, (d) quality of patient care and (e) safety of patient care.

Jackie Doyle-Price: We have made no comparative assessment of the effect of virtual clinic appointments.

Telemedicine

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an estimate of the extent of substitution of appointments at virtual clinics for face-to-face appointments in England.

Jackie Doyle-Price: We have not undertaken this type of analysis but we will monitor their impact as these services develop.

Telemedicine

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what representations he has received on the effect of language comprehension difficulties on the effectiveness of virtual clinics.

Jackie Doyle-Price: We have not received any such representations.

Speech Therapy: Training

Rebecca Pow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists on the training of approved mental capacity professionals; and what plans he has for further such discussions.

Rebecca Pow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to consult on which groups of professionals are able to train to be approved mental capacity professionals.

Caroline Dinenage: We are discussing with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists ahead of implementation to establish the detail of the role they will play in the new system and the suitability of speech and language therapists becoming approved mental capacity professionals (AMCPs). We will continue to engage with the College regarding the AMCP role as well as on the statutory Code of Practice. Subject to further consultation and development of the Code of Practice the government envisages that the professionals which could take on the role of AMCPs would include social workers, learning disability nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists and other suitable health and social care professionals as appropriate.

Dental Services

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information he holds on the proportion of dental patients who receive (a) NHS and (b) private treatment.

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of new patients whom dentists registered were NHS patients in each of the last three years.

Caroline Dinenage: Information is only collected by the National Health Service on dental courses of treatment that include NHS care. No information is therefore held on patients who receive only private treatment from a dentist or dentists who only provide private treatment. Under the current NHS dental system there is no registration. Patients may attend any practice providing NHS care. Information is held on the number of individual patients who saw an NHS dentist in, for adults, the last 24 months and for children the last 12 month period. 22.1 million adults were seen by dentist in the 24-month period ending 31 December 2018 and 7 million children were seen by a dentist in the 12-month period ending 31 December 2018.

Pharmacy: Safety

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to manage risks to safety in compounding facilities in (a) NHS organisations and (b) commercial aseptic pharmacies.

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much capital funding has been spent on (a) pharmacy services, (b) aseptic pharmacy services and (c) compounding pharmacy services in each of the last five years.

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of workforce pressures in compounding pharmacies operated by (a) NHS organisations and (b) non-NHS organisations; and whether the pharmacy workforce will be included in the forthcoming NHS workforce plan.

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on aseptic compounding pharmacies operated by (a) NHS organisations and (b) non-NHS organisations of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Caroline Dinenage: Hospital pharmacy aseptic services can be provided under either:- a specific exemption for pharmacists within medicine legislation (derived from section 10 of the Medicines Act 1968); or- a specials manufacturing licence from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Either approach requires services to meet the standards set by the MHRA within nationally recognised Good Manufacturing Practice. Licensed facilities are inspected by the MHRA and section 10 facilities are audited by regional quality assurance specialists under an Executive Letter, describing the arrangements for auditing unlicensed National Health Service aseptic units. The outcomes and risk ratings are reviewed through the NHS England Specialist Pharmacy Service. Commercial aseptic pharmacies must hold a specials manufacturing licence from the MHRA to supply compounded aseptic products to the NHS. The MHRA has its own inspection team who visit and review licensed facilities including both NHS and commercial. The MHRA has regulatory enforcement powers to close, restrict or require improvement in these licensed facilities. Capital spend to support individual pharmacy, aseptic or other NHS compounding services has historically been locally determined or has been part of wider whole hospital developments and, as such, there is no central repository of such spend. NHS Improvement has, through the initial work of reviewing NHS-provided aseptic services, identified a range of challenges linked to such services, including workforce. The next stage of this work will focus on workforce provision within the wider strategic review. This work does not include non-NHS organisations. Health Education England is undertaking a review that, linked with the NHS Improvement strategic service review, will identify the pharmacy technical services workforce issues across all grades and workforce groups. Aseptically compounded products are prepared from medicines that, in line with all medicines, are covered by the Department’s European Union exit planning process and products would all be included within the six-week additional stockpiling being managed through pharmaceutical suppliers.

Health Professions: Recruitment

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure effective recruitment from (a) EU and (b) non-EU countries to meet the demand for NHS and care, workers, after the UK leaves the EU.

Stephen Hammond: The Government recognises the need to be able to recruit effectively from abroad and the Immigration White Paper ‘The UK’s future skills-based immigration system’, published in December 2018, sets out the foundation for a single immigration system, where it is workers’ skills that matter, not where they come from.This system will streamline the high-skilled visa route, by removing the Resident Labour Market Test and the Tier 2 Visa Cap. It will also include a new temporary immigration route for workers of all skill levels which will allow our Social Care sector to recruit care workers from abroad as we transition into the new system. The Home Office is undertaking a programme of engagement to discuss the proposed measures with colleagues across government and industry, to develop a future immigration system that works for the whole of the United Kingdom.But we also recognise the need to boost our domestic workforce as well. The NHS Long Term Plan sets out a vital strategic framework to ensure that, over the next 10 years, the National Health Service will have the staff it needs so that nurses and doctors are working in a supportive culture that allows them to provide the expert compassionate care they are committed to providing.Alongside this, the upcoming Social Care Green Paper will set out the Department’s proposals for reform of the sector to put it on a more sustainable future footing. This will include a vision for its workforce and proposals to boost recruitment and retention in the longer term.

Nurses: Visas

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans that the salary exemption for nurses under Tier 2 visas announced on 7 March 2019 will (a) be maintained after the UK leaves the EU and (b) extended to EEA citizens.

Stephen Hammond: The Immigration White Paper ‘The UK’s future skills-based immigration system’, published in December 2018, where it is workers’ skills that matter, not where they come from. Following the publication of the White Paper the Home Office is now engaging with businesses and other employers to discuss the measures proposed, including at what level any minimum salary threshold should be set.

General Practitioners: Blackpool

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting time for patients to see their GP in the Blackpool NHS Clinical Commissioning Group has been for non-emergency appointments (a) between June and September 2018, (b) between October and December 2018, (c) in January 2019 and (d) in February 2019.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

General Practitioners: Blackpool

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of people attending (a) A&E facilities at the Blackpool Acute Hospitals Trust and (b) Walk-in facilities in Blackpool between June 2018 and January 2019 who could have been seen as a non-emergency appointment.

Stephen Hammond: The information is not available in the format requested.

Nurses: Training

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the effect has been on levels of nurse recruitment of the removal of the nursing bursary.

Stephen Hammond: The following table shows the number of nurses and midwives recruited since September 2016 - the year before the removal of the National Health Service bursary. September 2016September 2017September 2018December 2018Nurses274,767275,356277,790280,412Source: NHS Digital Published Hospital and Community Health Services workforce statistics The education funding reforms unlocked the cap which constrained the number of pre-registration nursing, midwifery and allied health profession training places allowing more students to gain access to nurse degree training courses. On 7 February, the University and College Admissions Service published full-time undergraduate nursing and midwifery applications made by the 15 January deadline. This data showed a 4.5% increase in applicants to undergraduate nursing and midwifery courses at English providers. We are working with Health Education England and the university sector to ensure students continue to apply for these courses this year and in future years.

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans the Government and NHS England have to ensure that CCGs use the funding allocated nationally to prescribe Flash Glucose Monitoring from 1 April 2019 using central NHS criteria.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps NHS England is taking to encourage CCGs which do not prescribe Flash Glucose Monitoring technology to do so as soon as possible when new guidance comes into effect from 1 April 2019.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which CCGs do not currently prescribe Flash Glucose Monitoring kits.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Brineura

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to make Brineura accessible to sufferers of Batten disease.

Caroline Dinenage: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently developing guidance on Brineura (cerliponase alfa) for treating neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 through the highly specialised technology (HST) programme. Further information can be found at the following link: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-hst10008 Through its HST programme, NICE makes recommendations on whether very high cost drugs for very small numbers of patients represent an effective use of National Health Service resources. NHS England is required to fund medicines recommended in NICE’s HST guidance, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance. In the absence of positive guidance from NICE, it is for commissioners to make decisions locally on whether to fund this treatment based on an assessment of the available evidence, and in consultation with the patient.

Health Services and Social Services: Staff

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies on staffing of the March 2019 King's Fund report entitled Closing the gap: Key areas of action for the health and care workforce; and whether he is taking urgent steps to ensure an adequate level of staffing for the delivery of high-quality health and social care over the next 10 years.

Stephen Hammond: We welcome the King’s Fund’s recent report, ‘Closing the gap: Key areas for action for the health and care workforce’, and agree that it is essential to ensure the health and care sector has the right number of people, with the right skills and values to provide high quality services. That is why the recently published Long Term Plan for the National Health Service committed funding for 20,000 more staff working in general practitioner practices and the Government has made funding available to increase university training places for nurses by 25%. Baroness Dido Harding is chairing a rapid programme of work, which will engage with staff, employers, professional organisations, trade unions and think tanks to build a shared vision and a plan of action that puts NHS people at the heart of NHS policy and delivery.

Radioisotopes

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of leaving the EU without an agreement on the UK’s ability to access (a) radioactive isotopes to diagnose and treat breast cancer and (b) other such medical materials.

Stephen Hammond: Leaving the European Union with a deal remains the Government’s top priority. However, as a responsible Government we must plan for every possible outcome including ‘no deal’. The Department has published guidance to industry and the health and care system to allow them to make informed plans and preparations. This is available on GOV.UK. The Government has been working closely with industry to ensure the supply of medicines, including medical radioisotopes to diagnose and treat breast cancer, can continue uninterrupted in the event of a ‘no deal’ EU exit. For any products that require air freight, such as medical radioisotopes, we are continuing to work with all suppliers to ensure this occurs. The Department can confirm that companies supplying the vast majority of medical radioisotopes medicines by volume have air freight routes that are currently operational. The Department wrote to all suppliers of medicines to the United Kingdom on 26 March to advise them of the changes to EU exit dates, and ask them to continue with preparations to protect patients in all possible outcomes. We are confident that, if everyone does what they need to do, the supply of medicines and medical products will be uninterrupted.

NHS and Social Services: Migrant Workers

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure effective recruitment from EU and non-EU countries to meet demand for (a) NHS and (b) care workers after the UK leaves the EU.

Stephen Hammond: The Government recognises the need to be able to recruit effectively from abroad and the Immigration White Paper ‘The UK’s future skills-based immigration system’, published in December 2018, sets out the foundation for a single immigration system, where it is workers’ skills that matter, not where they come from.This system will streamline the high-skilled visa route, by removing the Resident Labour Market Test and the Tier 2 Visa Cap. It will also include a new temporary immigration route for workers of all skill levels which will allow our social care sector to recruit care workers from abroad as we transition into the new system. The Home Office is undertaking a programme of engagement to discuss the proposed measures with colleagues across government and industry, to develop a future immigration system that works for the whole of the United Kingdom.We also recognise the need to boost our domestic workforce as well. The NHS Long Term Plan sets out a vital strategic framework to ensure that, over the next ten years, the National Health Service will have the staff it needs so that nurses and doctors are working in a supportive culture that allows them to provide the expert compassionate care they are committed to providing.Alongside this, the upcoming Social Care Green Paper will set out the Department’s proposals for reform of the sector to put it on a more sustainable future footing. This will include a vision for its workforce and proposals to boost recruitment and retention in the longer term.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: North East

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of support for people suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis in (a) South Shields and (b) the North East.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Cervical Cancer: Screening

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department is taking to improve access to cervical cancer screenings.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Tomography: Oxford

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will place in the Library any impact assessment conducted on the proposed privatisation of the PET-CT scan service in Oxford.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Asthma: Prescriptions

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of adding asthma to the list of medical exemptions for prescription charges.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department has made no such an assessment.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: North East

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support he plans to provide for myalgic encephalomyelitis services in the North East.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: North East

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has for the future development of services for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis in the North East.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Neurofibromatosis

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to improve the diagnosis and treatment of neurofibromatosis.

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with neurofibromatosis charities to help raise awareness of the condition.

Caroline Dinenage: NHS England has commissioned a national specialised service to address the healthcare needs of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients with rare complications that cause major health problems (called complex-NF1). There are two centres responsible for the diagnosis and long-term care of complex NF1 which are based at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. These centres also provide education with the National Health Service to raise and maintain awareness of NF1 and are expected to form a relationship with local health and social care providers to help optimise any care for complex NF1 patients provided locally. In 2010, a nationally funded service was established for patients in England with a diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). The purpose of this service is to ensure patients are managed consistently by experienced doctors within a multi-disciplinary setting and that they receive the highest standard of care. The service for NF2 is co-ordinated from four major clinic centres: Manchester, Cambridge, Oxford and London. Each centre has a clearly defined geographical area of responsibility and runs peripheral clinics within that area, contributing their expertise to ensure the same standard of service and care is maintained. Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the awareness of NF through more training of doctors and nurses, particularly through community paediatricians, development of guidelines with nurses, and links with genetic and neurology clinics. Links between expert centres have developed and improved the transfer of patients whose condition is complex to the centres. Professionals at the expert centres including consultants and specialist nurses also undertake the usual range of activities to raise awareness of the condition by giving lectures and presentations, attending conferences and publishing papers in medical journals. In April 2018, the former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health and Primary Care (Steve Brine MP) met the Childhood Tumour Trust to discuss, amongst other things, raising awareness of NF.

Department for Work and Pensions

Employment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the proportion of employment growth which can be attributed to (a) agency work, (b) self-employment and (c) zero-hours contracts in each of the last eight years.

Alok Sharma: Data from the independent Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that since the 2010 election employment has grown, by over 3.6 million, to a record high of 32.714 million. Over 75% of this has come from full-time, permanent employment. And over 75% of the growth since 2010 has come from higher-skilled occupations, which generally command higher wages. The latest ONS data shows that agency temporary workers represent 1.0% of people in employment. Self-employed people make up 14.8% of people in employment – up 1.3% points from when comparable records began in 1992. In October-December 2018 2.6% people in employment had a zero hours’ contract – down from 2.8% the previous year. Alongside this answer we provide a table showing the requested trends in different forms of employment. The following points should be noted:The ONS publish some of the requested data only in quarterly rather annual format. Annual comparisons are made using quarterly data.In some years it is not possible to provide the proportion of net employment growth, as employment in the requested categories of employment fell. For consistency we therefore only provide the net changes in employment levels. Data on the numbers of people working in agency temping jobs is available quarterly. Oct-Dec 2018 is the most recent data; therefore, this quarter has been used to calculate the requested change on year.  Change on year in agency temping levelChange on year in employment levelOct-Dec 201136,83117,604Oct-Dec 201212,019565,759Oct-Dec 2013-12,604382,666Oct-Dec 201426,361653,578Oct-Dec 201515,570595,671Oct-Dec 2016-19,207305,424Oct-Dec 2017-26,884308,505Oct-Dec 201819,854443,687  Data on the numbers in self-employment is quarterly. Nov-Jan 2019 is the most recent data, therefore this quarter has been used to calculate for the change on year.  Change on year in self-employment levelChange on year in employment levelNov-Jan 2012102,251-44,853Nov-Jan 201379,384544,571NovJan 2014294,505437,994Nov-Jan 201540,775674,611Nov-Jan 2016120,358537,415Nov-Jan 2017146,389306,505Nov-Jan 2018-34,995393,697Nov-Jan 201965,138472,665 Comparable zero hours contracts data is available annually until 2013, then for Apr-Jun and Oct-Dec each year thereafter. Apr-Jun 2018 is the most recent data; therefore, this quarter has been used for the change on year. The figures in this analysis are calculated from responses to the Labour Force Survey (LFS). As part of the survey the LFS asks people in employment if their job has flexible working and if so to choose from a list of employment patterns those which best describe their situation. The number of people who are shown as on a zero-hours contract will therefore be affected by whether people know they are on a zero-hours contract and will be affected by how aware they are of the concept. The increased coverage of zero-hours in the latter half of 2013 may have affected the response to this question. Therefore, please do not compare data before 2014, with data from 2014 onwards.   Change on year in zero hours contracts levelChange on year in employment level 201122,514107,000 201261,993251,000 2013333,033255,000 Oct-Dec 2014n/an/a Oct-Dec 2015104,959595,671 Oct-Dec 2016103,022305,424 Oct-Dec 2017-5,100308,505 Oct-Dec 2018-57,489443,687  Apr-Jun 2014, the time period changes from annual to quarterly data, these are not directly comparable periods. It would also not be accurate to compare these periods, as ONS advise there was a rise in awareness of zero hours contracts in late 2013 which caused the numbers to rise.

Universal Credit: Cancer

Hugh Gaffney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps her Department has taken to help ensure the financial security of universal credit claimants with cancer.

Alok Sharma: The Department takes seriously the need to support vulnerable claimants. We are committed to ensuring that people who have cancer are treated with the upmost sensitivity and care, when making a claim to Universal Credit. For instance, the UC50 questionnaire incorporates a 'light touch' evidence gathering process for cancer patients, and makes clear that Clinical Nurse Specialists and consultants can provide information on the form, therefore making the claim and assessment process simpler for people with cancer.We are continuously reviewing and improving the service for vulnerable people who claim Universal Credit to ensure that it is accessible and responsive to their needs. This includes how they are identified and supported, either from our own staff or via referrals from local services.

Local Housing Allowance: Sleeping Rough

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2019 to Question 229224, whether her Department plans to make an assessment of the effect of the Local Housing Allowance freeze on levels of rough sleeping.

Justin Tomlinson: There are no plans to make an assessment of the effect of the Local Housing Allowance freeze on levels of rough sleeping.

Universal Credit: Wales

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the number of universal credit claimants in (a) Cardiff South and Penarth, (b) the Vale of Glamorgan and (c) Wales who have (ii) had their housing benefit stopped without notice and (ii) are in rent arrears.

Justin Tomlinson: Local Authorities have a duty to notify changes to a Housing Benefit award. Therefore, if a Housing Benefit claim ends because of a move to Universal Credit, the claimant is notified that the Housing Benefit claim has ended. However, we know that many tenants are arriving on Universal Credit with pre-existing rent arrears, that their arrears tended to increase prior to making a claim for Universal Credit, and that Universal Credit actually appears to be helping to clear arrears over time. According to latest figures (November 2018) only about 8% of social rented households were on Universal Credit.

Social Security Benefits: Wales

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the number of people in (a) Cardiff South and Penarth, (b) the Vale of Glamorgan and (c) Wales that have waited more than 6 weeks to receive benefit payments in the latest period for which figures are available.

Alok Sharma: For Universal Credit New Claims no claimant has to go five weeks without receiving support, as advances, worth up to 100 per cent of a claimant’s indicative award, are available, if required and a two week ‘transitional housing payment’ is available to those claimants who were receiving Housing Benefit before they moved onto Universal Credit.In many cases where full payment is not made on time, it is due to unresolved issues such as: claimants not accepting their Claimant Commitment or passing identity checks, or having outstanding verification issues, such as housing costs and self-employed earnings. In order to support claimants to claim, we have taken steps to improve verification processes. For example, we have listened to feedback and built processes into the system to make it easier and quicker for people to verify their housing costs, for example through the landlord portal.The table below shows the number and proportion of UC New Claims where full payment/part payment was made within 6 weeks of the claim being submitted.These figures relate to New Claims where the first payment was due in November 2018.  Waited more than 6 weeks from declaration for any UC paymentAs a proportion of all payments due this monthCardiff South and Penarth208%Vale of Glamorgan104%Wales3105%

Social Security Benefits: Glasgow South West

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many advance benefit payments have been made to people in Glasgow South West in each month since September 2018.

Alok Sharma: The below table shows the number of advance payments that have been made to claimants in Glasgow South West from September 2018-December 2018, the most recent data we have available. MonthNumber of AdvancesSep-1840Oct-18380Nov-18540Dec-18370 Universal Credit full service began to rollout across Glasgow from September 2018, with the final site rolling out in November 2018. Nationally around 60% of new claims receive an advance.Notes1. Figures relate only to Universal Credit full service2. The number of advances is rounded to the nearest 103. If a claimant has applied for more than one advance, each one is counted separately in these figures.4. Universal Credit full service rolled out across Glasgow between September 2018 and November 2018.

Pensioners: Means-tested Benefits

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the take-up rate has been of each income-based pensioner benefit in each of the last five years for which data are available.

Guy Opperman: The latest Official statistics on the take-up of income related benefits relate to 2016/17 and can be found in the ‘Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up in 2016 to 2017’ publication at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-2016-to-2017 Official statistics relating to earlier years can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up--2

Universal Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the number of people who cannot claim universal credit online because they cannot access (a) a computer or (b) the internet.

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the number of universal credit claimants who do not have access to a computer or the internet.

Alok Sharma: Our Universal Credit Claimant Survey, found that 98 per cent of claimants have internet access and did claim online, and the majority of those said they found the claim process overall to be straightforward. This can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-full-service-claimant-survey To help claimants using online services, Universal Support is available, which is advice, assistance or support to help Universal Credit claimants with managing their claim or award. From 1 April 2019 Citizens Advice (England and Wales) and Citizens Advice Scotland will deliver a new “Help to Claim” service to support vulnerable claimants through the process of making a claim to Universal Credit. All Jobcentre Plus offices across the country have Wi-Fi and computers available for claimants to access the internet. For those that are still unable to access or use digital services, or are not able to travel, assistance to make and maintain their claim is available via the Freephone Universal Credit helpline. In exceptional circumstances, a home visit can be arranged to support a claimant in making and maintaining their claim.

Universal Credit: Disqualification

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many sanctions applied to universal credit claimants result from a matter relating to the Online Journal system.

Alok Sharma: Sanctions are only used when people fail to meet their conditionality requirements without good reason. When a claimant provides evidence of why they failed one of their requirements (for example, a matter relating to the Online Journal system) in order to determine good reason, this information is recorded on our systems. However, this is not centrally collated in a way that allows analysis to be undertaken. An extensive interrogation of our systems would be required in order to provide the information requested, which would incur disproportionate cost.

Housing Benefit: Wales

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 22 March 2019 to Question 234158 on Public Sector: Pensions, what estimate she has made of the average amount of benefit payment not received per household in each local authority area in Wales as a result of the imposition of the benefit cap.

Justin Tomlinson: Households can have their benefits capped either under Housing Benefit, or under Universal Credit. The latest statistics were published in February 2019, covering households capped to November 2018. Under Housing Benefit, statistics on the number of households capped in the geographical areas requested by banded, weekly cap amount, is published and available at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk (‘Benefit Cap’, ‘Point in Time caseload’ table). Guidance for users is available at:https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html Under Universal Credit, statistics on the number of households capped by banded, weekly cap amount can be found in the February 2019 official statistics release (Table 9, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/benefit-cap-number-of-households-capped-to-november-2018).

Food Poverty

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to reduce levels of hunger; and if she will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson: This Government committed to providing a strong safety-net for those who need it and we continue to spend over £95 billion a year on welfare benefits for people of working age. We want to build a better understanding of household food needs so that it can ensure that it shapes future support in a way that targets those who need it most. The new questions that we are including on the Family Resources Survey starting from April 2019 will enable us to better understand the drivers of food insecurity and identify which groups are most at risk.

Food Poverty

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussion she has had with Cabinet colleagues on a cross-Government approach to reducing hunger; and if she will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson: My officials have regular engagement with colleagues in other Departments including the Cabinet Office to ensure a coordinated approach to addressing food insecurity. DWP has, for example, worked with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Devolved Administrations as well as with the Office for National and Statistics a number of food security experts to introduce a new set of food security questions in the Family Resources Survey starting from April 2019, enabling us to monitor the prevalence and severity of household food insecurity at a national level and for specific groups from Spring 2021. The Government will shortly publish its response to the Environmental Audit Committee’s report; “Sustainable Development Goals in the UK: Hunger, Malnutrition and Food Insecurity in the UK”

Home Office

Home Office: Chief Scientific Advisers

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many meetings he held with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser between 1 December 2018 and 28 February 2019.

Victoria Atkins: Home Office Ministers have regular meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others as part of the process of policy development and delivery. The Home Secretary met Professor John Aston in September and November 2018.

Deportation: Parents

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many children have been separated from their parents by a decision to remove their parents from the UK under immigration powers in the last 12 months.

Caroline Nokes: The information is not recorded in a reportable format. I trust that my letter to you of 6 March, which also addresses this issue provides more detailed information.

Visas: Research

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy to exclude scientific research occupations from the cap on tier 2 visas.

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of proposals for a salary threshold in the immigration White Paper on scientific research occupations.

Caroline Nokes: The Government is committed to developing a future borders and immigration system that will cater for all sectors of the UK, including for those who make a very valuable contribution to our scientific communityAs part of his Spring Statement on 13 March, my Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that PhD level occupations, which includes scientists and researchers, will be exempt from the Tier 2 (General) cap. In addition, he announced that those same occupations will be exempt from our rules on absences from the UK, ensuring that they can take part in research activities overseas without impacting adversely on settlement applications where absences from the UK are taken into account. The Government intends to give effect to this change later this yearThe Migration Advisory Committee recommended retaining the minimum salary threshold at £30,000. However, we have been clear that we want to engage with businesses and employers as to what salary threshold should be set. Currently, graduate entry jobs are already subject to a lower salary threshold and we will continue with that approach – and we are considering whether some occupations, such as those recognised on the Shortage Occupation List, should be subject to a lower salary threshold.We have launched engagement over 2019 with a wide range of stakeholders across the UK, including the science and research sectors, and we will be listening to their views on the key proposals in the White Paper before taking final policy decisions on the future system, which will be implemented after 2021.

Immigration: Overseas Students

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending international students’ post study leave period to find permanent skilled work.

Caroline Nokes: In 2017, the Home Office commissioned the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to provide an objective assessment of the impact of international students in the UK for the first time.In line with the MAC recommendations, we announced in the Immigration White Paper published in December 2018 that we will increase the post-study leave period for postgraduate students to six months, and doctorate students to a year. We will also go further, by increasing the post-study leave period for all undergraduates studying at institutions with degree awarding powers to six months.These changes will benefit tens of thousands of students and will help ensure that our world-leading education sector remains competitive globally.

Criminal Proceedings

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have reported a crime of (a) violence against the person, (b) theft and (c) a public order offence in England and Wales and have subsequently (i) withdrawn their statement and (ii) failed to attend the relevant court hearing in each of the last three years.

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information his Department holds on the reasons for people reporting a crime and subsequently withdrawing their statement to the police.

Mr Nick Hurd: The number of police recorded offences and their outcomes relating to violence against the person, theft and public order in England & Wales is published in the police recorded crime open data tables, which can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-recorded-crime-open-data-tablesHowever, the Home Office does not hold information relating to the number of people who withdraw their statement or fail to attend a subsequent court hearing, nor for the reason for a person reporting a recordable crime and then withdrawing their statement.

Missing Persons: Children in Care

Faisal Rashid: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to prevent unaccompanied and trafficked children going missing from care.

Victoria Atkins: The Government is committed to protecting all children who go missing and recognises the specific needs of trafficked children, which is why we have announced a range of actions to better protect child victims and keep them safe.The Government has committed to expanding Independent Child Traf-ficking Advocates to one third of all local authorities by April 2019. The Child Trafficking Protection Fund which, as well as providing victim support and recovery, aims to reduce vulnerability to exploitation by preventing trafficked children from going missing and potentially being re-trafficked. In November 2017, the Department for Education published a Safeguarding Strategy for unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee children. The Strategy com-missioned a further 1,000 training places for carers and support workers to equip them with the skills they need to identify when a child is at risk of going missing and of potentially being trafficked onwards. The Refugee Council are delivering this training and will have delivered 1,000 places by the end of March 2019.The Home Office is also working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) through the Home Office National Law Enforcement Data Pro-gramme (NLEDP) to deliver a National Register of Missing Persons (NRMP). This will enable real time information about police reported missing persons incidents to be accessed by police forces across England and Wales. Over time the NRMP will build a national picture of historic missing persons incidents. This will assist officers when they are looking for, or en-counter a missing person, particularly if that missing person is outside their home force area. We are currently working towards the NRMP to be in use operationally in 2020/2021.

Religious Buildings: Security

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to help safeguard mosques since the attacks on mosques in Birmingham on 20 March 2019; and if he will make a statement.

Victoria Atkins: Police continue to protect places of worship as part of their core activity partic-ularly in relation to hate crime. Following the events in New Zealand and the attacks on mosques in Birmingham, local police have increased patrolling and security measures around mosques and other places of worship to enhance safety and reassure the public.Last week, we announced an uplift of funding for the next year of the Places of Worship Protective Security Fund to £1.6 million. This is double the amount awarded last year. Under the 2016 Hate Crime Action Plan, we committed £2.4m over three years to provide protective security measures to places of worship who have been victim of or are vulnerable to hate crime attacks, and so far we have awarded grants to just under 50 mosques. The Government has also just announced a new £5 million fund over 3 years to provide security training for Places of Worship. We will be working closely with communities and faith leaders to develop this new scheme and deliver it effectively.Protective security advice is provided by the National Counter Terrorism Secu-rity Office (NaCTSO), and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastruc-ture (CPNI). NaCTSO have published sector specific protective security ad-vice and guidance for owners and operators of crowded places sites such as places of worship, to allow them to identify key risks and consider what steps to take. Government continues to work closely with community groups, includ-ing Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group and Tell MAMA, as well as through counter extremism coordinators in local authority areas, to provide reassur-ance to communities and develop understanding of tensions and issues.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to support young EU nationals apply to the EU Settlement Scheme who may have difficulty in providing documentation proving their residency in the UK.

Caroline Nokes: There is a range of support available to those who require assistance ap-plying to the Scheme.Generally, children under 21 applying as the dependent of their parent or guardian only need to provide evidence of their relationship to the parent or guardian to be granted the same status.There is no need for them to prove their own UK residence.The Home Office is willing to accept a broad range of evidence of applicant’s residency in the UK. Applicants will need to provide one document only dated in the last six months to be granted pre-settled status.Guidance on the evidence EU citizens can submit is available on gov.uk (www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-settlement-scheme-evidence-of-uk-residence).If applicants do not have enough evidence, the Home Office’s EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre will work with them to confirm when they have been resident in the UK based on all the evidence available.For vulnerable applicants, caseworkers will be able to exercise discretion on compassionate grounds, based on the range of evidence available. There is also support available through community organisations supported by the Home Office’s Grant Scheme funding.

Knives: Death and Injuries

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which local authorities have had the highest incidence of knife-related (a) deaths and (b) injuries in each of the last eight years.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office collects data on (a) homicide and (b) assault with injury offences involving a knife or a sharp instrument recorded by the police in England and Wales at the Police Force Area only. It is not possible to disaggregate these data to a local authority level.The most recently published information for offences involving knives or sharp instruments by Police Force Area is for the year to September 2018 and is available here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/773074/prc-knife-open-data-march2009-onwards-tables.ods.

Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme: Scotland

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many places in the seasonal workers pilot scheme have been ring-fenced for Scotland.

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria his Department used to determine the figure of 2,500 for non-EU workers for the seasonal workers pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Nokes: As my Rt Hon Friend, the Home Secretary, set out in his Written Ministerial Statement of 6 March (HCWS1380), this is a UK wide pilot and we have placed a specific duty on the scheme operators to ensure that all regions of the UK are able to benefit.The pilot is designed to test the effectiveness of our immigration system at supporting the horticulture sector during peak production periods, whilst maintaining robust immigration control and ensuring there are minimal impacts on local communities and public services. 2,500 places has been identified as the appropriate number for this purpose.

Migrant Workers: Health Services

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure the recruitment of NHS and care workers from (a) EU and (b) non-EU countries to meet levels of demand after the UK leaves the EU.

Caroline Nokes: In December 2018, the Government set out its proposals in “the UK’s future Skills-based Immigration System” White Paper. The White Paper proposals include a new route for skilled workers which will be open to anyone at RQF level 3 and above, irrespective of where they are applying from. This route will not be capped allowing all of those who meet our requirements to come to the UK.The White Paper also includes a transitional route for temporary workers which will be open to anyone from qualifying countries, wishing to fill positions at any skill level, for up to 12 months. We do not intend to impose a cap on the number of people wishing to use the route.

Criminal Investigation

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he holds information on the average time a person released under investigation went without contact from an investigating officer in each of the last three years.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office does not hold the information requested.The timely and effective management of investigations, including regular contact with individuals released under investigation, is an operational matter for the police.The National Police Chiefs’ Council have issued guidance to frontline of-ficers on the management of investigations, including the expectation that individuals released under investigation are provided with timely updates.The Home Office continues to work with partners across the criminal justice system, including police, on matters related to pre-charge bail and released under investigation.

Visas: Nurses

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he plans to (a) retain and (b) extend to EEA citizens the Tier 2 visa salary exemption for nurses after the UK leaves the EU.

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he plans to ensure that overseas care workers are exempt from the Tier 2 visa £30,000 salary cap and able to work in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Nokes: We have been clear that we want all EU nationals, including those working in the NHS and the care sector, to stay in the UK after we leave the EU.In their report, EEA migration in the UK, the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommended maintaining the existing system of salary thresholds.The Government has been clear that we will undertake an extensive programme of engagement with a wide range of stakeholders across the UK, including with the private, public and voluntary sector and local government, as well as industry representatives and individual businesses before taking a final decision on the level of salary thresholds.

Home Office: Staff

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people working on developing the Disclosure and Barring Service are (a) contingent labour, (b) supplier resource and (c) civil servants.

Victoria Atkins: The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) publish year-end workforce data in their Annual Reports and Accounts (see link below page 44).https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/726580/DBS_ARA_Annual_Report_2017.18.pdf(a) Contingent labour - from April 2018 to March 2019 – the DBS employ be-tween 10-15 Full Time Equivalents (FTE).(b) Supplier Resource – this is a managed service in line with Service Level Agreements, which operates flexibly, depending upon business require-ments.(c) DBS staff as of the 28th Feb 2019 was 939 FTE. This includes Fixed Term Appointments (FTA) and permanent employees.Staff at the DBS are known as ‘public servants’ as of the 1st December 2012, when the DBS became a non-departmental public body (NDPB).

Home Office: Staff

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people working on developing the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme are (a) contingent labour, (b) supplier resource and (c) civil servants.

Mr Nick Hurd: The number of people working on the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme is (a) contingent labour: 34.2; supplier resource: 126.8; and civil servants: 50.6. The numbers reflect that some individuals do not work full-time.

Religious Buildings: Security

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his Department will allocate additional funding for the security and protection of mosques and Muslim faith schools.

Victoria Atkins: Last week, we announced an uplift of funding for the 2019/20 Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme to £1.6 million. This is double the amount awarded in 2018/19. Under the 2016 Hate Crime Action Plan, we committed £2.4m over three years to provide protective security measures to places of worship which have been subject to or are vulnerable to hate crime attacks, and so far we have awarded grants to just under 50 mosques. The 2019/20 scheme was announced as a fourth year of funding in October 2018.The Home Office also announced last week a new £5 million fund over 3 years to provide security training for Places of Worship in England and Wales. This will enable staff and volunteers to develop the security understanding necessary to make physical security measures work effectively.We are already engaging with faith representatives and organisations including the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, Tell Mamma and the Independent Advisory Group on Hate Crime, and will open a consultation shortly to review what more can be and should be done to protect faith communities more widely.

Immigration: Commonwealth

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing visa charges for Commonwealth armed forces personnel applying for indefinite leave to remain.

Caroline Nokes: We currently have no plans to exempt commonwealth nationals who have served in HM Forces from paying a fee when applying to settle in the UK.The Home Office reviews fees on a yearly basis and income from fees charged for immigration and nationality applications plays a vital role in our ability to run a sustainable immigration and nationality system and minimize the burden on the taxpayer

Violence: Young People

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to reduce youth-related violence in (a) Barnsley and (b) Sheffield City Region.

Victoria Atkins: In April 2018, the Government published the Serious Violence Strategy which sets out a comprehensive set of 61 commitments and actions we are taking to tackle violent crime. This includes launching a £22m Early Intervention Youth Fund, which is already supporting 29 projects in England and Wales; a national knife crime media campaign: #knife free; a new National County Lines Coordination Centre and the Offensive Weapons Bill, which will strengthen legislation on firearms, knives and corrosive substances. On 2 October 2018, the Home Secretary announced further important measures including a consultation on new legal duty to support a multi-agency approach to preventing and tackling serious violence, a new long term £200 million Youth Endowment Fund and an Independent Review of Drug Misuse.Most recently, on 13 March, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an additional £100 million of funding for serious violence in 2019/20. This funding will directly support the police’s immediate response to the rise in serious knife crime, as well as supporting investment in Violence Reduction Units, which will bring together a range of agencies including health, education, social services and others to develop a multi-agency approach to preventing serious violence altogether. It is important that we recognise that greater law enforcement on its own will not reduce serious violence and that we must continue to focus on prevention.With specific reference to Barnsley and the Sheffield City Region, we have awarded almost £1.25m from the Early Intervention Youth Fund to the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire in support of two projects, one of which is working in Barnsley and the other in Sheffield. In addition, alongside all other police forces in England and Wales, South Yorkshire Police took part in a national week of action to tackle knife crime, called Operation Sceptre, from 11-18 March 2019.

Knives: Crime

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many incidents of knife crime there were in (a) Barnsley and (b) Sheffield City Region in each of the last five years.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office collects data on the number of offences involving knives or sharp instruments recorded by the police in England and Wales at the Police Force Area level only.Information on knife crime offences for South Yorkshire Police Force Area, which includes Barnsley and Sheffield, can be found in the Home Office Knife Crime Open Data Tables available here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-recorded-crime-open-data-tables

Visas: Nurses

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Tier 2 visa salary exemption for nurses will (a) remain his policy after the UK leaves the EU and (b) be extended to EEA citizens.

Caroline Nokes: We have been clear that we want all EU nationals, including those working in the NHS and the care sector, to stay in the UK after we leave the EU.In their report, EEA migration in the UK, the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommended maintaining the existing system of salary thresholds.The Government has been clear that we will undertake an extensive programme of engagement with a wide range of stakeholders across the UK, including with the private, public and voluntary sector and local government, as well as industry representatives and individual businesses before taking a final decision on the level of salary thresholds.

Migrant Workers: Social Workers

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure that care workers from EU Member States can work in the UK after the UK leaves the EU.

Caroline Nokes: In December 2018, the Government set out its proposals in “the UK’s future Skills-based Immigration System” White Paper. The White Paper proposals include a new route for skilled workers which will be open to anyone at RQF level 3 and above, irrespective of where they are applying from. This route will not be capped allowing all of those who meet our requirements to come to the UK.The White Paper also includes a transitional route for temporary workers which will be open to anyone from qualifying countries, wishing to fill posi-tions at any skill level, for up to 12 months. We do not intend to impose a cap on the number of people wishing to use the route.

Knives: Crime

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions he has had with the Lord Chancellor on the effectiveness of short custodial sentences for people convicted of knife offences in reducing levels of knife crime.

Victoria Atkins: We are clear that robust and consistent sentences for knife crime are an important part of the effort needed to reduce these crimes. Right across Government we are very clear that we must continue to give judges the powers they need to impose tough sentences on those involved in serious violence including knife crime. While individual sentencing decisions are a matter for the courts, we are catching and prosecuting more people who carry a knife, and those who are convicted are now more likely to go to prison, and for longer. Through the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, the Government introduced the sentencing provision that anyone caught in possession of a knife for a second time will now face a mandatory minimum custodial sentence of at least six months for adults and a detention and training order of at least four months for those aged 16 and 17 years old. This came into force on 17 July 2015.We know that this can only ever be part of the response, and that tackling knife crime requires action on many fronts. This is reflected in the Government’s Serious Violence Strategy which sets out our response to serious violence and outlines an ambitious programme involving 61 commitments and actions. Since launching the Strategy in April last year, we have made significant progress in delivering on our key commitments including:• The Early Intervention Youth Fund of £22m, which is already supporting  29 projects in England and Wales;• Provision of £3.6m for a new National County Lines Co-ordination  Centre. The centre was established to tackle violent and exploitative  criminal activity associated with county lines and became fully  operational in September 2018;• The National County Lines Coordination Centre has co-ordinated two  separate weeks of intensive law enforcement action resulting in more  than 1000 arrests, over 1300 individuals engaged for safeguarding,  and significant seizures of weapons and drugs; • An anti-knife crime Community Fund which provided £1.5 million in  2018/19 to support 68 projects;• The Offensive Weapons Bill to strengthen legislation on firearms,  knives and corrosive substances; and• A national knife crime media campaign - #knifefree - to raise  awareness of the consequences of knife crime.On 2 October 2018 the Home Secretary announced further measures to address violent crime, as follows:• a consultation on new legal duty to underpin a ‘public health’ approach to tackling serious violence- this would mean police officers, educa-tion partners, local authority and health care professionals will have a new legal duty to take action and prevent violent crime.• a new £200 million youth endowment fund- this will be delivered over 10 years and will support interventions with children and young people at risk of involvement in crime and violence. It will focus on those most at risk, such as those displaying signs such as truancy, aggres-sion and involvement in anti-social behaviour; funding interventions to steer children and young people away from becoming serious offend-ers; and• an Independent Review of Drug Misuse. On 8 February, we  appointed Dame Carol Black to lead a major review that will look into  the ways in which drugs are fuelling serious violence. The approach  establishes a new balance between prevention and the rigorous law  enforcement activity. It will shift our approach towards steering young  people away from crime in the first place and put in place measures  to tackle the root causes. We believe that the approach set out in the  Strategy, with a greater emphasis on early intervention, will address  violent crime and help young people to develop the skills and  resilience to live happy and productive lives away from violence but  we cannot deliver this alone.On 13 March the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Spring Statement that there will be £100 million additional funding in 2019/20 to tackle serious violence, including £80m of new funding from the Treasury. This will allow police to swiftly crack-down on knife crime on the areas of the country and also allow investment in Violence Reduction Units.

Police: Training

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to increase the (a) amount and (b) quality of modern slavery training provided to police officers.

Victoria Atkins: The Government have made £8.5m of additional funding available from the Police Transformation Fund to support the establishment of the Modern Slavery Police Transformation Programme.This programme has developed a range of bespoke training courses which are accredited by the College of Policing. These include general awareness courses for the frontline to detailed training packages for senior investigators leading complex modern slavery investigations.Since 2017, around 6,200 specialist modern slavery training days have been delivered by the programme to more than 4000 police officers and staff. All forces in England and Wales have participated. This formal training is supported by a programme of workshops and development events with participation from across all police forces.

Visas: Nurses

Sir Vince Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the salary exemption for nurses under Tier 2 visas will be extended to EEA citizens.

Caroline Nokes: We have been clear that we want all EU nationals, including those working in the NHS and the care sector, to stay in the UK after we leave the EU.In their report, EEA migration in the UK, the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommended maintaining the existing system of salary thresholds.The Government has been clear that we will undertake an extensive programme of engagement with a wide range of stakeholders across the UK, including with the private, public and voluntary sector and local government, as well as industry representatives and individual businesses before taking a final decision on the level of salary thresholds.

Domestic Abuse

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) domestic violence protection notices and (b) domestic violence protection orders have been issued in each of the last five years.

Victoria Atkins: Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) were rolled out across all 43 police forces in England Wales from 8 March 2014.Table A shows ONS published data for the number of Domestic Violence Protection Notices both applied for and granted by the police in the last two financial years. Data prior to 2017 is not available.  DVPNs applied forDVPNs grantedONS stats for Year Ending March 20184,4084,219ONS stats for Year Ending March 20173,2454,017Source: Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) Not all police forces could provide data to HMICFRS, therefore the total of applications granted may be greater than the total made.Table B below shows the available information on the number of Domestic Violence Protection Orders that were issued by the courts during the period in question.(Data only available from December 2014 as the Magistrates’ Courts case management and management information systems only began separately recording Domestic Violence Protection Orders from that date.)  DVPOs grantedApril 2017 - March 20184,878 (HMICFRS data)April 2016 – June 20173,698 (HMICFRS data)April 2015 - March 20163,951Dec 2014 - March 20151,150The draft Domestic Abuse Bill published on January 21 includes measures to introduce a new Domestic Abuse Protection Notice and Domestic Abuse Protection Order. This new order would bring together the strongest elements of existing orders to provide better protection to victims of domestic abuse.

Visas: Nurses

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he plans to (a) retain and (b) extend to EEA citizens the Tier 2 visa salary exemption for nurses after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he plans to ensure that overseas care workers are exempt from the Tier 2 visa £30,000 salary cap and able to work in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Nokes: We have been clear that we want all EU nationals, including those working in the NHS and the care sector, to stay in the UK after we leave the EU.In their report, EEA migration in the UK, the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommended maintaining the existing system of salary thresholds.The Government has been clear that we will undertake an extensive programme of engagement with a wide range of stakeholders across the UK, including with the private, public and voluntary sector and local government, as well as industry representatives and individual businesses before taking a final decision on the level of salary thresholds.

Saudi Arabia: Overseas Visitors

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when Saudi nationals (a) Saud al-Qahtani, (b) Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb, and (c) Thaar Ghaleb al-Harbi last visited the UK.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether Saudi nationals (a) Saud al-Qahtani, (b) Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb and (c) Thaar Ghaleb al-Harbi are currently permitted to visit the UK.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether Saudi nationals (a) Saud al-Qahtani, (b) Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb, and (c) Thaar Ghaleb al-Harbi are currently permitted to hold assets in the UK.

Caroline Nokes: The Government has a long-established practice of not routinely commenting on the details of individual immigration cases.

Migrant Workers: NHS and Social Workers

Clive Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) NHS workers and (b) care workers can be recruited from (i) EU and (ii) non-EU countries after the UK leaves the EU.

Clive Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure that care workers from EU Member States can work in the UK after the UK leaves the EU.

Caroline Nokes: In December 2018, the Government set out its proposals in “the UK’s future Skills-based Immigration System” White Paper. The White Paper proposals include a new route for skilled workers which will be open to anyone at RQF level 3 and above, irrespective of where they are applying from. This route will not be capped allowing all of those who meet our requirements to come to the UK.The White Paper also includes a transitional route for temporary workers which will be open to anyone from qualifying countries, wishing to fill positions at any skill level, for up to 12 months. We do not intend to impose a cap on the number of people wishing to use the route.

Visas: Nurses

Clive Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the salary exemption for nurses on Tier 2 visas will remain his policy after the UK leaves the EU; and what plans he has to extend that exemption to EEA citizens.

Caroline Nokes: We have been clear that we want all EU nationals, including those working in the NHS and the care sector, to stay in the UK after we leave the EU.In their report, EEA migration in the UK, the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommended maintaining the existing system of salary thresholds.The Government has been clear that we will undertake an extensive programme of engagement with a wide range of stakeholders across the UK, including with the private, public and voluntary sector and local government, as well as industry representatives and individual businesses before taking a final decision on the level of salary thresholds.

Migrant Workers: NHS and Social Workers

Jamie Stone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure effective recruitment from EU countries to meet demand for (a) NHS and (b) care workers after the UK leaves the EU.

Caroline Nokes: In December 2018, the Government set out its proposals in “the UK’s future Skills-based Immigration System” White Paper. The White Paper proposals include a new route for skilled workers which will be open to anyone at RQF level 3 and above, irrespective of where they are applying from. This route will not be capped allowing all of those who meet our requirements to come to the UK.The White Paper also includes a transitional route for temporary workers which will be open to anyone from qualifying countries, wishing to fill positions at any skill level, for up to 12 months. We do not intend to impose a cap on the number of people wishing to use the route

Immigration: EU Nationals

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Prime Minister of 21 January 2019, whether everyone who paid a fee during the pilot scheme for the EU Settlement Scheme has had that fee reimbursed as of 25 March 2019.

Caroline Nokes: As my Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister told the House of Commons on 21 January (col. 28) there will be no fee for applications under the EU Settlement Scheme when the scheme is rolled out in full on 30 March.If an applicant paid a fee during the testing phases they will receive a refund from 30 March. This will be an automated process. More information can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

Northern Ireland Office

Obesity: Northern Ireland

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what estimate she has made of the number of people with obesity in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) each Clinical Commissioning Group in Northern Ireland by (i) age and (ii) gender in each of the last five years.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps her Department is taking to tackle regional differences in (a) adult and (b) childhood obesity in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which Clinical Commissioning Groups in Northern Ireland provide a (a) tier three and (b) tier four weight management service.

John Penrose: The Department of Health commissioned a 2017-18 Health Study in Northern Ireland. This reported that 64% of adults aged 16+ were either overweight (37%) or obese (27%). The full findings of the report are available on the Department of Health’s website. The Department’s current obesity prevention framework ‘A Fitter Future for All 2012-2022’ recognises the need to improve food and nutrition and encourage physical activity among the population to reduce the prevalence of obesity. This framework is also available on the Department’s website. Northern Ireland does not use Clinical Commissioning Groups, and a tier three and tier four management service is not currently commissioned in NI. The NI Department of Health has established a task and finish group to explore options for the development of a regional prototype bariatric service.

Northern Ireland Office: Departmental Responsibilities

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will publish who (a) she and (b) Ministers of her Department have met in meetings and engagements over the last 14 months; and if she will also publish on what dates those meetings were held.

Karen Bradley: The Government is committed to publishing details of ministers’ meetings with external organisations on a quarterly basis. Publications for the Northern Ireland Office can be found on Gov.UK.

Offensive Weapons Bill: Northern Ireland

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the decision on the legislative consent motions required for clauses 1 to 4 of the Offensive Weapons Bill will be made solely by the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Office.

Karen Bradley: In Northern Ireland, corrosive substances are devolved and are the responsibility of the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland. Clauses 1 to 4 of the Offensive Weapons Bill which the hon Member has referred to, relate to proportionate restrictions on the sale and delivery of certain acids and other dangerous corrosive chemicals, and are part of a range of measures to provide better protection to people in local communities across the UK. I am continuing to work hard with the parties in Northern Ireland to restore devolved government so that the devolved administration can ensure the appropriate legislative consent is provided.

Treasury

Child Benefit

Ronnie Cowan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many families who have a child with additional support needs have had their child benefit payment reduced due to exceeding the earnings threshold.

Mel Stride: The information is not available. Information on whether the children of Child Benefit claimants have additional support needs is not held by HMRC.

Overseas Loans: Mozambique

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the progress of investigations by UK authorities into alleged financial crimes related to $2 billion in loans arranged by London branches of Credit Suisse and VTB to Proindicus, Ematum Mozambique Asset Management in Mozambique.

John Glen: The relevant UK authorities have considered the allegations against UK-based banks and have offered assistance to Mozambique in relation to their investigations. The Treasury is not in a position to comment on any criminal investigations by law enforcement authorities. Separate to any criminal investigation, the Financial Conduct Authority is currently progressing a regulatory investigation into Credit Suisse’s systems and controls concerning and relating to the loans it provided to the Mozambique government.

Duty Free Allowances

Chris Green: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Notice on travelling between the EU and the UK following the withdrawal of the UK from the EU published by the European Commission on 13 November 2018, whether he plans to reciprocate the EU's decision for the return of duty and VAT-free allowances for travellers between the UK and the EU.

Mel Stride: Leaving the EU with a deal remains the government’s top priority, this has not changed. As the UK leaves the EU, the government’s aim is to keep VAT and excise processes as close as possible to what they are now. This will help ensure passengers continue moving across the border as freely as possible.

EU Budget

Mrs Anne Main: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will make an estimate of the potential costs of the UK's contributions to the EU budget in the event that the UK remains in the EU for a period of two years.

Elizabeth Truss: The Government will bring forward proposals for a third meaningful vote as soon as possible and, if it is passed, an extension to 22 May will provide the time to pass the necessary legislation. If Parliament does not agree a deal this week, the EU has agreed to extend Article 50 until 12 April.If Article 50 were to be extended for two years, as an EU Member State we would continue to have rights and obligations until exit.

Holiday Accommodation: Taxation

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the taxation rate for online accommodation booking businesses.

Mel Stride: There is no difference in the VAT treatment of business activity based on the mode of delivery. UK VAT rules apply equally to accommodation bookings, whether made online or not. The government also announced a new Digital Services Tax at Budget 2018. From April 2020 this will apply a 2% tax to the UK revenues of search engines, social media platforms and online marketplaces, and is forecast to raise £1.5bn over four years.

Revenue and Customs: Portsmouth

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish in full the results from any local economic impact assessment ahead of the decision to close the HMRC office in Portsmouth.

Mel Stride: HMRC’s office in Portsmouth is being retained as a transitional site until 2025-26. HMRC’s decision to move to regional centres is intended to improve the efficiency and delivery of HMRC’s objectives. HMRC is committed to maximising tax revenue, increasing compliance and reducing the tax gap while delivering best value to the taxpayer and has to prioritise these aims.

Revenue and Customs: Portsmouth

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the cumulative length of service of all HMRC staff (a) employed at and (b) at risk of redundancy from the closure of the Portsmouth office.

Mel Stride: The HMRC office at Portsmouth, Lynx House, is scheduled to close in 2025-26 under HMRC’s location strategy. The number of staff in the office who may be at risk of redundancy will not be known until after the completion of conversations between staff and their managers. The discussions are held around a year in advance of any move and take personal circumstances into account. HMRC wants to keep as many employees as possible as it moves to its regional centres. It has been clear that if someone can move to a regional centre and has the skills it needs or is able to develop them, there will be a role for them.

Coinage

Patrick Grady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2019 to Question 215222 on Brexit: Festivals and Special Occasions, on what date The Royal Mint plans for the 50 pence coin commemorating the UK’s departure from the EU to go into circulation.

Robert Jenrick: The commemorative 50p to mark the UK leaving the European Union will be made available following the UK’s departure. As previously confirmed, the coin will be available to buy from the Royal Mint and will not go into circulation. Those interested in purchasing a coin can register their details on the Royal Mint’s website.

Coinage

Patrick Grady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what date The Royal Mint began or plans to begin production of the 50 pence coin commemorating the UK’s departure from the EU.

Robert Jenrick: The commemorative 50p to mark the UK leaving the European Union will be made available following the UK’s departure.

Coinage

Patrick Grady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what costs The Royal Mint has incurred for the (a) design and (b) production of the 50 pence coin commemorating the UK’s departure from the EU.

Robert Jenrick: The cost of designing and producing commemorative coins is met by the Royal Mint out of its own revenues, at no cost to the taxpayer.

Children: Day Care

Angela Rayner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2019 to Question 233582 on Children: Day Care, how much funding his Department plans to allocate to (a) tax free childcare, (b) employer supported childcare and (c) the childcare element of Working Tax Credit in 2019-20.

Elizabeth Truss: Page 100 of the OBR’s March 2019 Economic & Fiscal Outlook contains the Tax-Free Childcare forecast, including forecast spending for 2019/20 (https://cdn.obr.uk/March-2019_EFO_Web-Accessible.pdf). The forecast cost of Employer Supported Childcare tax reliefs in 2019/20 is £539m. The forecast cost of the childcare element of Working Tax Credit in 2019/20 is £1,022m. This is in line with OBR methodology which assumes Universal Credit has no impact on the Working Tax Credit forecast.

Digital Technology: Taxation

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what criteria his Department used to calculate the estimated revenue from the digital services tax proposed in 2018 Budget.

Mel Stride: The Digital Services Tax is forecast to raise approximately £1.5 billion over four years. The costing methodology is set out in further detail on page 21 of the Autumn Budget 2018 policy costings note found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/752208/Budget_2018_policy_costings_PDF.pdf The costing methodology was certified by the Office for Budget Responsibility as reasonable and central.

Digital Technology: Taxation

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of how the anti-treaty-shopping provisions within the Digital Services Tax proposed in the 2018 Budget would be used; and what modelling his Department has has undertaken on that subject.

Mel Stride: The government recently finished a consultation on the design and administration of the Digital Services Tax, which sought views on the appropriate anti-avoidance provisions for the tax. A response will be published in due course. The proposed design did not include anti-treaty shopping provisions.

Digital Technology: Taxation

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department has had with its counterparts in other countries on the application of the digital services tax proposed in Budget 2018.

Mel Stride: The government has had discussions with its counterparts within the OECD on the application of the Digital Services Tax, as well as about long-term corporate tax reform. Since the announcement at Budget a number of other countries have indicated they intend to implement their own versions of Digital Services Taxes.

Public Sector: Pensions

Hannah Bardell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 19 April 2018 to Question 135229 on Public Sector: Pensions, what progress has been made by responsible Departments in implementing the necessary regulatory changes arising from the Walker v. Innospec Limited judgement.

Elizabeth Truss: Departments responsible for the Police, Firefighters’, NHS, Local Government and Armed Forces pension schemes have made the necessary regulatory changes arising from the Walker v. Innospec Limited judgment. Departments responsible for the Teachers’ and Civil Service pension schemes are in the process of doing so.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Facebook: Data Protection

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he discussed with Mark Zuckerberg at their meeting in week commencing 18 February 2019 the January 2019 Facebook data breach in which the passwords of up to 600 million users were made available to Facebook employees.

Margot James: I refer the Hon Member to the Secretary of State’s answer to PQ 225432 on 28th February.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Consultants

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many consultants his Department has hired in each year since 2016; and what the cost has been to the public purse.

Margot James: Details on consultancy expenditure are published in the DCMS Annual Report and Accounts. 2016 -17 Consultancy spend can be found on page 169 (4.3) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/631336/DCMS_Annual_Report_and_Accounts_2016_to_2017_-_web_optimised_version.pdf 2017 - 18 Consultancy spend can be found on page 171 (4.3) - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/727557/Department_for_Digital__Culture__Media___Sport_Annual_Report_2017-18_Web_Accessible.pdf

Airbnb: North East

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the effect of AirB&B on tourism in the North East.

Michael Ellis: DCMS has made no assessment as to the effect of AirBnB on tourism in the North East. AirBnB publish an insights document every year, which looks at the platform’s impact on the tourism sector. This can be found here: https://www.airbnbcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/AirbnbUKInsightsReport_2018.pdf Government supports tourism through initiatives such as the Discover England Fund which aims to develop quality, innovative tourism products across the country. Products such as the East of England Touring Route will take visitors from London up to Northumberland, developing their own individual itineraries for their journey.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Research

Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of ring-fencing Medical Research Council funds for biomedical research on myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) in order to ensure that overall research funding for ME is proportional to that spent on research into similarly prevalent health conditions.

Chris Skidmore: I refer my rt. hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk on 20th March 2019 to Question 231931.

British Business Bank: Loans

John Lamont: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much financial support the British Business Bank start-up loans programme has provided to businesses in each constituency since it was launched in 2012.

Kelly Tolhurst: The information requested is currently being researched, and I will deposit a copy of it in the Libraries of the House by the end of April.

Hotels: Competition

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will ask the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate the level and effectiveness of competition in online hotel booking.

Kelly Tolhurst: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Energy: Meters

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what guidance he has provided to Ofgem on how it checks that energy companies approach customers and other householders in an appropriate manner on the installation of smart meters; and whether there is a protocol to ensure that companies have clear guidelines on that process.

Claire Perry: Ofgem have set out their expectations in relation to energy suppliers’ engagement of their customers on smart meters. In addition, the Smart Metering Installation Code of Practice, designated by Ofgem in 2013, sets out mandatory minimum standards for energy suppliers to follow in relation to the smart meter installation experience. Ofgem is responsible for ensuring relevant licensees compliance with the Code.

New Businesses: Families

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support his Department is providing to entrepreneurs with family care responsibilities.

Kelly Tolhurst: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

New Businesses: Females

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to encourage UK-based institutional and private investors to invest in female entrepreneurs.

Kelly Tolhurst: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Minimum Wage: Non-payment

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of businesses that have paid workers below the national minimum wage.

Kelly Tolhurst: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Climate Change: Emergencies

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish a response to EDM 2177 on UK-wide climate emergency.

Claire Perry: The Government recognises that climate change is one of the most urgent and pressing challenges we face today, which is why we have set out ambitious plans in our Clean Growth Strategy to reduce emissions through the 2020s. The Strategy builds on the UK’s impressive progress to date; between 1990 and 2017, the UK reduced its emissions by over 40 per cent while growing the economy by more than two thirds – the best performance in the G7 on a per person basis. In addition to our ambitious policies and proposals in the Clean Growth Strategy, we have commissioned the Committee on Climate Change to provide advice on the implications of the Paris Agreement for the UK’s long-term emissions reduction targets, including on setting a net zero target. This advice is due on the 2 May and we will consider it carefully when it is received.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Supported Housing: Older People

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to issue guidance to local authorities on the provision of specialist housing for older people as required under the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017.

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consultation the Department has undertaken with providers of specialist housing for older people to inform the forthcoming Ministerial guidance in this area.

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many planning authorities have detailed planning guidance in place for the provision of specialist housing for older people.

Giles Watling: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether local authorities have a statutory obligation to put in place detailed planning guidance on the provision of specialist housing for older people.

Kit Malthouse: In the revised National Planning Policy Framework, published in July 2018, we strengthened policy to create a clear expectation that all local authorities have policies in place for addressing the housing needs of older people. The number of authorities with detailed planning guidance on the provision of specialist housing for older people is not recorded.We will publish further planning guidance, to assist councils to put these policies in place, in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning Act commitment. We have undertaken extensive engagement in relation to the guidance, including discussions with a range of local authorities, charities and house builder representatives to identify and discuss the key issues. We will publish the guidance in due course.

Supported Housing: Older People

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to use the successor scheme to the New Homes Bonus to incentivise the provision of specialist housing with care for older people; and if he will make a statement.

Kit Malthouse: In December 2018, Government announced the 2019-20 New Homes Bonus allocations due to be paid over next 4 years. Consideration about the overall quantum of funding available to the local government sector will be a matter for the next spending review, but Government remains fully committed to incentivising housing growth to benefit everyone and will consult widely with local authorities on how best to reward delivery most effectively.

Housing Ombudsman Service

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the average time taken by the Independent Housing Ombudsman was to determine case complaints in 2018-19; and how many complaints took longer than the six-month target to determine.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The Housing Ombudsman Service’s 2018-19 annual report and accounts, when published, will confirm the average case determination time. The average time taken in 2018-19 to determine cases entering the Housing Ombudsman Service’s formal remit is expected to be less than 7 months as of the end of March 2019.For the year to date, 67 per cent of complaints entering the formal remit have taken longer than six months to determine. Performance is improving with 50 per cent of complaints in February determined within 6 months. This is in the context of a 24 per cent increase in cases entering the Housing Ombudsman’s formal remit for determination in the year to date.

Housing Ombudsman Service

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has asked the Independent Housing Ombudsman to change the six month target for determining case complaints in 2019-20.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The Housing Ombudsman Service has consulted on its draft 2019-20 Business Plan and draft 2019-22 Corporate Plan. The Secretary of State is required to approve these prior to their publication. The plans are geared around the Housing Ombudsman Service dealing with complaints as effectively and swiftly as possible and supporting the local resolution of complaints. Targets for 2019/20 will be agreed between the Housing Ombudsman Service and Secretary of State for the publication of the new plans.

Housing Ombudsman Service: Staff

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many full time equivalent staff were employed by the Independent Housing Ombudsman in 2018-19; and how many of those staff were (a) caseworkers, (b) adjudicators and (c) review managers.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The full time equivalent of staff employed by the Housing Ombudsman Service in 2018-19 is 67.9.The number of (a) caseworkers, (b) adjudicators and (c) dispute resolution managers is as follows:a) Caseworkers (Dispute Resolution Advisors and Adjudicators): 41.6b) Of which, Adjudicators: 25.6c) Dispute Resolution Managers: 6.0

Regulator of Social Housing: Public Appointments

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 19 October 2018 to Question 178312 on Regulator of Social Housing: Public Appointments, whether the recruitment campaign to strengthen the Board of the Regulator of Social Housing has resulted in the appointment of any tenants in the last six months.

Kit Malthouse: We are currently looking to recruit up to three new members to the Board of the Regulator of Social Housing. We have identified that one of these posts should be filled by someone with significant senior level experience of operating in a customer facing environment (ideally in social housing). As set out in the Social Housing Green Paper, we want to ensure that the Board has the right level of experience and skills to ensure landlords deliver a better standard of service to their tenants.

Sleeping Rough

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of people sleeping rough have a co-occurring mental health and substance use problem.

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the availability of drug and alcohol treatment services for people sleeping rough.

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to improve access to drug and alcohol treatment services for people sleeping rough.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The Government has not made an assessment of what proportion of people sleeping rough have a co-occurring mental health and substance use problems.National street counts and intelligence driven estimates of people sleeping rough are conducted every year in autumn, but these do not take into account an individual’s support needs.These figures can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/rough-sleeping-in-england-autumn-2018.However, London’s Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) data does collect self-reported information on people’s support needs. The most frequently reported support need amongst people seen rough sleeping across London in 2017/18 was mental health, with 50 per cent of those assessed during the period having a need in this area. Alcohol was the second most prevalent need, at 43 per cent, while 40 per cent of rough sleepers were assessed as having a support need relating to drugs. 15 per cent had all three support needs.These figures can be found here: https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/chain-reports.This Government is committed to reducing homelessness and rough sleeping. No one should ever have to sleep rough. That is why last summer we published the cross-government Rough Sleeping Strategy which sets out an ambitious £100 million package to help people who sleep rough now, but also puts in place the structures that will end rough sleeping once and for all. The Government has now committed over £1.2 billion to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping over the spending review period. In its first year, the Rough Sleeping Initiative provided over 1,750 new bed spaces and 500 staff.As part of a range of commitments in the Rough Sleeping Strategy, which was published in August 2018, the Department of Health and Social Care is running a rapid audit of health services in the 83 Rough Sleeping Initiative areas to understand levels health provision for people who sleep rough. It has also committed up to £2 million to test models of access to health services for people with co-occurring mental ill-health and substance misuse needs to understand if local services can be delivered more effectively. NHS England has committed to up to £30 million over the next five years to deliver targeted mental health services to rough sleepers.

Sheltered Housing: Older People

Giles Watling: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to introduce additional forms of tenure for older people in specialist housing-with-care settings.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The Government currently does not have any plans to introduce other forms of tenure.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Cybercrime

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many mandatory cyber security training sessions civil servants working in his Department are required to undertake.

Jake Berry: New starters to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) are required to complete cyber security training as part of their induction. Guidance on security culture, including cyber security and managing digital footprints, is also available to staff through the Department’s intranet.The Department runs cyber security sessions as part of the ‘Core Curriculum’ – a learning and development programme that is designed and delivered internally, based on the needs of MHCLG staff. This has included a ‘Cyber Security Week’ aimed at all staff, which included the use of guest speakers and cyber specialists at drop-in sessions and events.

Buildings: Insulation

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the core of Aluminium Composite Material cladding is filler material as the term is to be understood in the Government published guidance Fire safety: Approved Document B2, published in 2006, 2010, 2013, paragraph 12.7 and Approved Document B2, published 2018, Amendments paragraph 12.6.

Kit Malthouse: Yes, that is correct.

Derelict Land

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the feasibility of the use of brownfield sites as potential locations to build new homes.

Kit Malthouse: The National Planning Policy Framework expects local authorities to give substantial weight to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements for new homes and other uses. We ask them to prioritise brownfield wherever practicable, and have provided support in the form of loan funding for site preparation, infrastructure and land assembly; new permitted development rights to put existing buildings to good use as dwellings; and the redevelopment of brownfield sites in Green Belt to allow more affordable homes. Every local authority has published a register of brownfield land suitable for new homes, bringing thousands of hectares of developable land to the attention of house-builders and self-builders.Local authorities are also beginning to receive proposals regarding Permission in Principle for housing-led developments on land in brownfield registers. Brownfield sufficient for many hundreds of thousands of new homes is likely to be identified by local authorities, and it is they who must plan how and when to use available, viable and sustainable sites for the housing we so badly need.

Stronger Towns Fund: Wales

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the Barnett consequentials for Wales of the introduction of the Stronger Towns Funds.

Jake Berry: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 26 March 2019 to Question UIN 228691.

Local Government Finance: Wales

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions his Department has had with the Welsh Government on the adequacy of the funding settlement.

Rishi Sunak: My Department is responsible for the Local Government Finance Settlement in England. Local authority funding in Wales is a devolved matter and funding is the responsibility of the Welsh Government.

Affordable Housing: Havering

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the Affordable Homes Programme for the London Borough of Havering.

Kit Malthouse: The Mayor has overall responsibility for housing policy and delivery in London, but we all agree that we need many more homes in London. Through our Affordable Homes Programme, the Government has invested over £4.8 billion in London to deliver at least 116,000 affordable homes by March 2022.Almost one quarter of the new affordable homes delivered since 2010 have been in London (88,000 out of 407,000) and over 61,500 were affordable homes for rent.Since 2015/16, 140 additional affordable housing completions have been supplied within the London Borough of Havering.

Social Services: Romford

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the financial sustainability of adult services in Romford.

Rishi Sunak: Over the Spending Review period, councils will receive more than £200 billion to spend on local services. Havering Council will have available over £850 million of core Spending Power during this period. The majority of this funding is not ringfenced and it is for local authorities, who are independent of central government, to manage their budgets in line with locally determined priorities. Extra funding announced in Budget 2018 means Government will have given councils access to £10 billion dedicated funding that can be used for adult social care in the three year period to 2019-20.

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence: Legal Costs

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the highest hourly rate paid for legal advice was by (a) his Department and (b) each of his Department's arms length bodies in 2018.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 24 January 2019.The correct answer should have been:

The highest hourly rate paid for legal advice by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) was £580.597. The highest hourly rate paid for legal advice by the MOD’s arms length bodies is: Name of Arms Length BodyHighest RateDefence Electronics and Components Agency£295Defence Science and Technology Laboratory£148National Army Museum£550National Museum of the Royal Navy£580Oil and Pipelines£250Royal Air Force Museum£280Royal Hospital Chelsea£530Single Source Regulations Office£450United Kingdom Hydrographic Office£675

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The highest hourly rate paid for legal advice by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) was £580.597. The highest hourly rate paid for legal advice by the MOD’s arms length bodies is: Name of Arms Length BodyHighest RateDefence Electronics and Components Agency£295Defence Science and Technology Laboratory£148National Army Museum£550National Museum of the Royal Navy£580Oil and Pipelines£250Royal Air Force Museum£280Royal Hospital Chelsea£530Single Source Regulations Office£450United Kingdom Hydrographic Office£675

Weeton Barracks

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2019 to Question 231436 on Weeton Barracks, what assessment he has made of the effect the recently announced delay to the closure of Fulwood Barracks on that timescale.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Work is ongoing to establish what impact the delayed closure of Fulwood Barracks may have on the timescales of relocating of HQ North West to Weeton Barracks. We will provide further updates as plans develop.

Warships: Procurement

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects to place an order for littoral strike vessels; how much he expects each vessel to cost; and when he expects those vessels to be operational.

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the new Littoral Strike vessels will be based in Devonport.

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal Fleet Auxiliary and (c) Royal Marines he expects to allocate to each Littoral Strike Vessel.

Stuart Andrew: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 11 February 2019, we will use the Transformation Fund to develop a concept for a Littoral Strike Ship. Estimates of the potential acquisition costs of this capability will be established during the initial concept phase.At this time, no decisions have been made regarding procurement strategy, in service dates, basing or manning levels.

Warships: Procurement

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to designate the littoral strike vessels as complex warships in order that only British shipyards may bid for their construction.

Stuart Andrew: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney (Gerald Jones) on 15 March 2019 to Question 231534.



231534 - Warships Procurement
(Word Document, 27.6 KB)

Ministry of Defence: Cybercrime

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many mandatory cyber security training sessions civil servants working in his Department are required to undertake.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Ministry of Defence takes the security of its personnel and establishments very seriously. Cybersecurity is included in induction training for all personnel and messages are regularly repeated, including through annual general security briefs, by direct promulgation of cybersecurity awareness material and through continuously available awareness material. We do not comment publicly on specific security arrangements or procedures.

Red Arrows

Karen Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the results of the Red Arrows feasibility study.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: As announced in summer 2018, the RAF intends to close RAF Scampton, the home of the Red Arrows by 2022, as part of wider Defence Estate rationalisation. The MOD are currently undertaking a number of feasibility studies in relation to the Red Arrows basing, the outcome of which will be announced to Parliament in due course.

Ministry of Defence: Staff

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people working on developing the Wildcat Programme are (a) contingent labour, (b) supplier resource and (c) civil servants.

Stuart Andrew: The Wildcat programme is currently in the in-service phase. At present the Wildcat Delivery Team consists of 82 civil servants and one contingent labour resource. It also comprises 440 supplier resources, which includes subcontractors. Project team numbers can fluctuate depending on demand.

Ministry of Defence: Staff

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people working on developing MODnet Evolve are (a) contingent labour, (b) supplier resource (c) civil servants.

Stuart Andrew: The Ministry of Defence has the following personnel developing MODNet Evolve:2 people are contingent labour0 people are supplier resource5 people are civil servantsPlease note in addition to the numbers above there are two technical support work packages that support the programme on an outcome only basis. These are not counted as contingent labour as individuals are not paid on a time and materials basis. There are around 26 people that support these work packages.

Army: Northern Ireland

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to deploy troops to Northern Ireland in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Mark Lancaster: The UK armed forces already have a presence in Northern Ireland through 38 Brigade who are stationed at Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn. There are no plans to deploy elements of 38 Brigade or any additional troops in Northern Ireland to manage the impacts of a no-deal EU exit. The MOD continues to engage with partners across government, including the Northern Ireland Office and the National Police Chiefs Council, to ensure that Defence is prepared to support the civilian authorities in a range of scenarios.

D-Day Landings: Anniversaries

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding from the public purse was allocated to commemorations of D-Day's (a) 50th, (b) 65th and (c) 70th anniversary.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much government funding will be allocated to the upcoming D-Day 75 commemorations.

Mark Lancaster: This Government pays tribute to the courageous men and women who participated in and contributed to the D-Day landings and the wider Normandy Campaign. The Government, through the Ministry of Defence, and in conjunction with the Royal British Legion, are proud to be supporting and participating in a wide range of commemorative events for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, as was the case for previous significant anniversaries. For the 75th anniversary, these include the UK National event in Portsmouth on 5 June 2019, and a series of events in Normandy.The support provided by the Ministry of Defence is far reaching, including the use of estates and assets and, therefore, cannot be defined in purely financial terms or disaggregated from wider budgets.

Yemen: Military Intervention

Mr Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the British armed forces have been injured on active service in the Yemen in the last six months.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Daily Mail article entitled Our secret dirty war, published on 23 March 2019, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of reports that members of the British armed forces have recently been injured in the Yemen.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of operations involving British armed forces in the Yemen in the last six months.

Mark Lancaster: None.

Scotland Office

Scotland Office: Consultants

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many consultants his Department has hired in each year since 2016; and what the cost has been to the public purse.

David Mundell: The Department does not hold information on the number of consultants hired in any one year as this work is often commissioned as part of an outcomes based contract to ensure value for money. The amount spent on consultants each year since 2016 is:2016-17 - £ Nil2017-18 - £ Nil

Department for International Trade

Exports: Saudi Arabia

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many applications for (a) Standard Individual Export Licences, (b) Open Individual Export Licences and (c) Open Individual Trade Control Export Licences for exports to Saudi Arabia were referred to Ministers by the Export Control Joint Unit and its predecessor the Export Control Organisation in each year since 2015.

Graham Stuart: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 11 March 2019.The correct answer should have been:

The following are the number of applications to Saudi Arabia that have been referred to Ministers since 2015: 2015:a) 2 Standard Individual Export Licences;b) 0 Open Individual Export Licence;c) 0 Open Individual Trade Control Licences;2016:d) 213 Standard Individual Export Licences;e) 0 Open Individual Export Licence;f) 0 Open Individual Trade Control Licences;2017:g) 1823 Standard Individual Export Licences;h) 12 Open Individual Export Licence;i) 0 Open Individual Trade Control Licences;2018:j) 13 Standard Individual Export Licences;k) 0 Open Individual Export Licence;l) 0 Open Individual Trade Control Licences;

Graham Stuart: The following are the number of applications to Saudi Arabia that have been referred to Ministers since 2015: 2015:a) 2 Standard Individual Export Licences;b) 0 Open Individual Export Licence;c) 0 Open Individual Trade Control Licences;2016:d) 213 Standard Individual Export Licences;e) 0 Open Individual Export Licence;f) 0 Open Individual Trade Control Licences;2017:g) 1823 Standard Individual Export Licences;h) 12 Open Individual Export Licence;i) 0 Open Individual Trade Control Licences;2018:j) 13 Standard Individual Export Licences;k) 0 Open Individual Export Licence;l) 0 Open Individual Trade Control Licences;

Business: Exports

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he is taking to help export businesses prepare for the UK leaving the EU.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what support his Department is putting in place for small and medium export businesses to prepare for the UK leaving the EU.

Graham Stuart: Our priority is securing a deal with the European Union as this will avoid disruption to our global trading relationships. Until that deal is in place, we must prepare for all eventualities. The Government has set out what issues business, including exporting businesses, need to consider in a no-deal scenario and the Public Information Campaign directs business to that information on GOV.UK. The Department for International Trade’s frontline International Trade Advisers are regularly updated with the latest GOV.UK updates and information to help SMEs across England prepare for leaving the EU. International Trade Advisers are using this information to ensure SMEs are promptly referred to the latest available EU Exit business readiness information, including the HMRC Partnership Pack. My Department is also working closely with our counterparts in the Devolved Administrations to ensure that similar guidance is available to SMEs in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. In addition my Department continues to work closely with BEIS and HMRC to ensure that the published Public Information Campaign guidance is widely circulated. My Department has briefed Business Representative Organisations, including the BCC and CBI, on the support available to help companies prepare for the UK leaving the EU. Other Government Departments are also supporting this cross-Government effort to help SMEs as they prepare for leaving the EU. This includes a BEIS business readiness bulletin for trade associations, business representative bodies and business intermediaries and HMRC webinars for SMEs.

Poultry Meat: China

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the carcass balance of poultry meat is maintained as part of trade negotiations with China after the UK leaves the EU.

George Hollingbery: The UK is committed to working with China to improve market access and strengthen the trade relationship, including for trade of poultry meat. We recognise that there are clear potential benefits to carcass balance of poultry meat from trading with China. However, we are still unable to export live poultry, due to a ban which China imposed following outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that occurred in the UK in poultry from 2014-2017. We have achieved a number of positive steps towards lifting the ban, and once the ban is lifted, we can progress to resuming live exports of poultry which was an open export market prior to the implementation of the ban. Following re-opening of pre-existing trade, we can then undertake the longer process of opening a brand-new market for the poultry sector, namely poultry meat exports, which would add additionally opportunities for industry to benefit from carcass balance in the future.

Sodium Thiopental: USA

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the UK ban on exports of sodium thiopental to the US will be maintained after the UK leaves the EU.

Graham Stuart: If the UK leaves without a deal, Sodium Thiopental will be controlled by the proposed regulation retaining the relevant EU regulation, (EU) 2019/125, under the EU (Withdrawal) Act. This will be subject to both houses agreeing to the proposed retaining regulation.

Exports: Saudi Arabia

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 22 March 2019 to Question 234238 on Exports: Saudi Arabia, how many applications for (a) SIELs, (b) OIELs, (c) SITLs, (d) OITCLs and (e) SITCLs for exports to Saudi Arabia were referred to ministers in each Government Department since March 2015.

Graham Stuart: We do not hold a central record of cases submitted to Ministers in each Government Department.

Trade Agreements: Japan

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions he has had with his Japanese counterpart on a potential trade agreement after the UK leaves the EU.

George Hollingbery: The UK and Japanese governments continue to engage on a future trade agreement based on the commitment made on 10th January this year by the Prime Ministers of Japan and the UK. This agreement is to be as ‘ambitious, high standard and mutually beneficial as the Japan-Europe EPA’, and Japan is supportive of future UK membership of the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership (CPTPP). We are continuing to work with Japan to realise these opportunities for a stronger trading relationship.

Trade Agreements

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many trade deals have been rolled over in time for the UK leaving the EU; and what estimate he has made of the number of trade deals that will be rolled over one year after the UK has left the EU.

George Hollingbery: The best way to provide continuity and stability in our global trading relationships is to have a deal with the European Union so that the UK can remain covered by all existing trade agreements during the Implementation Period. After this we will seek to bring into force bilateral agreements that replicate the effects of existing agreements as far as possible.Nevertheless, the Government is working to have bilateral agreements in place ready for when we need them, whether that is in the event of no deal, or after the proposed implementation period. The Government has signed trade continuity agreements with Chile, the Faroe Islands, the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) trade bloc, Switzerland, Israel, Palestinian Authority, Pacific states and CARIFORUM countries. We expect these to be in place by exit day, even in the event of a no deal. This list is kept up to date on Gov.uk (LINK) as we continue to sign trade continuity agreements. The Government has also initialled an agreement with EEA countries Iceland and Norway. This is expected to be signed shortly. Liechtenstein is covered under an additional agreement to the UK-Switzerland Trade Agreement.

Department for Transport

Bus Services: Concessions

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to extend eligibility for free bus travel to combat air pollution.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: Around £1 billion a year is spent on concessionary travel in England and any extensions to the scope of the statutory scheme would further increase costs. Local authorities do already however have the power to offer discretionary travel concessions over and above the statutory minimum national concession, and since 2010/11 almost all of the 89 travel concession authorities outside London have offered discretionary travel concessions. The Government recognises the importance of buses to improving air quality, with one bus taking up to 75 cars off the road meaning that buses take millions of car journeys off UK roads every year, reducing greenhouse gases and congestion. To help enhance the attractiveness of travelling by bus, we have just announced that all operators of local bus services across England will be required from 2020 to provide high quality, accurate and open data, including on routes and timetables, fares and tickets and location data, which will enable passengers to more easily plan journeys, find best value tickets and receive service updates.  In addition, the Government is keen to support the uptake of zero emission buses, and recently announced the winners of the Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme which will fund 263 zero emission buses and supporting infrastructure.

East Coast Railway Line

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the whole of the East Coast Main Line is ready for the delivery of High Speed Two by 2033.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: HS2 Ltd is currently identifying the works that may be required to accommodate HS2 services on the Conventional Rail Network from 2033. The initial assessment of areas where HS2 Ltd may need to undertake work is set out in the WDES, and work is ongoing to confirm which works will be needed. The works required will be detailed in the Phase 2b hybrid Bill, alongside the environmental assessment in the formal Environmental Statement, when the Phase 2b scheme is deposited in Parliament next year. The Volume 4 of the WDES is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/745090/HS2_Phase_2b_Working_Draft_ES_Volume_4_Off-route_effects.pdf

Aviation: Antisocial Behaviour

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department plans on taking to reduce the number of disruptive passenger incidents (a) at airports and (b) onboard commercial airlines.

Jesse Norman: There should be zero tolerance for disruptive passenger behaviour on flights, whether or not it is caused by excessive alcohol consumption.The Government welcomes the industry’s approach to this issue through the UK Aviation Industry Code of Practice on Disruptive Passengers, with initiatives such as the ‘One Too Many’ campaign to raise awareness of the penalties of drunken behaviour, and the introduction of tamper-proof bags for duty free alcohol sales.However, the Government also continues to work with the Civil Aviation Authority, airports and airlines to find other ways to tackle this problem, as part of its consultation on the new UK Aviation 2050 Strategy. The Home Office launched a Call for Evidence on 1 November 2018 to assess the impact which the Licensing Act 2003 could have on reducing alcohol-related passenger disruptions if applied to airside premises at international airports in England and Wales. The Call for Evidence closed on 1 February, and the responses are currently being analysed. Any recommendations will be considered as part of the development of the Aviation 2050 Strategy.

Railways: Ombudsman

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will conduct a review into the efficiency of the new rail ombudsman.

Andrew Jones: The Rail Ombudsman, which is an industry scheme established and paid for on a voluntary basis by rail operators and Network Rail, was launched last November. The Rail Delivery Group, overseen by a panel of independent members, manages the contract for the new service and works with the supplier to ensure that it provides value to both scheme members and passengers. In addition, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) will monitor the scheme’s performance, including its ability to drive improvements in rail companies, and seek improvements where necessary. As well as reporting on its performance and the outcome of its decisions direct to the ORR, the Ombudsman will also report direct to Transport Focus and London TravelWatch, as well as making this information publicly available thereby enabling scrutiny from other interested parties.

Seaborne Freight

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many hours his (a) officials and (b) Ministers have spent on the Seaborne Freight contract.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Delyn on 19 February. [UIN 219312].

Seaborne Freight

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the cost of (a) the time spent by his Department’s officials, (b) outside contractor’s advice and (c) any legal advice on the Seaborne Freight contract.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Delyn on 19 February. [UIN 219312].

Ramsgate Port: Dredging

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost was of dredging Ramsgate port for ferry access in relation to the failed Seaborne freight contract; and who paid for that dredging.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The Government is not party to this dredging contract and so precise information about its cost is not held centrally.

Railways: Waste Disposal

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the target for all franchises to stop discharging effluent onto tracks will be met by the end of the calendar year; and whether any franchises will be allowed exemptions.

Andrew Jones: Network Rail are currently in the process of implementing a change to their operational requirements that will prohibit any rolling stock from discharging effluent to the network from 31 December 2019. To date no operator has been granted any exemption from these requirements. Any requests for exemption will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Bus Services: Disability

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's consultation Bus Services Act 2017: accessible information which closed on 16 September 2018, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on the requirement for all buses to have audio visual next stop and final destination announcements; and whether he plans to publish guidance on that matter.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The Government understands the importance of accessible on-board information in helping bus passengers to travel with confidence, and in Summer 2018 published a public consultation on proposals to require its provision on local bus services throughout Great Britain. We continue to analyse responses to the consultation and expect to announce our next steps regarding the making of Regulations and publication of guidance later in the year.

South Eastern Rail Franchise

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether (a) his Department has completed its evaluation of bids and (b) he has completed his consent relating to the tender for the Southeastern franchise; and whether his Department currently has credible live bids for that tender.

Andrew Jones: We are still in the evaluation phase of the competition. My Department wants to ensure that the franchise meets the needs of passengers and taxpayers and will provide an update in due course.

Spaceflight: Licensing

Bill Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department has made on awarding spaceport licences for horizontal satellite launch in the United Kingdom.

Jesse Norman: The Space Industry Act 2018 was a major step towards establishing the safe and supportive regulatory framework needed to enable launches to take place from the early 2020s. Work across the Government is now under way to develop the secondary legislation required before the Civil Aviation Authority can formally assess licence applications for horizontal spaceports.

Bus Services: Disability

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to implement audio visual announcements on buses.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The Government understands the importance of accessible on-board information in helping bus passengers to travel with confidence, and in Summer 2018 published a public consultation on proposals to require its provision on local bus services throughout Great Britain. This follows the Government’s commitment, set out in the Inclusive Transport Strategy, to invest £2 million towards ensuring that audio visual equipment is installed on buses. We continue to analyse responses to the consultation and expect to announce our next steps regarding the making of Regulations and publication of guidance later in the year.

Bus Services

Sir Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department plans to publish the Government's response to the consultation, Bus Services Act 2017: accessible information.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The Government understands the importance of accessible on-board information in helping bus passengers to travel with confidence, and in Summer 2018 published a public consultation on proposals to require its provision on local bus services throughout Great Britain. We continue to analyse responses to the consultation and expect to announce our next steps regarding the making of Regulations and publication of guidance later in the year.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Brexit

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many members of staff of his Department have been seconded to other government departments to work on preparations for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

Sir Alan Duncan: ​Since the 2016 Referendum 65 staff have been transferred to other government departments to support preparations for the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Cambridge Analytica

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what meetings were held between (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department and Alexander Nix of Cambridge Analytica in December 2016.

Sir Alan Duncan: I met Alexander Nix on 7 December 2016. The Foreign Secretary met Alexander Nix on 8 December 2016. FCO officials in London, Washington and New York occasionally met Alexander Nix and representatives from Cambridge Analytica starting in 2016. These meetings were part of normal diplomatic business aimed at understanding the 2016 presidential election in the US, the ensuing political environment, and the Trump Presidential campaign and transition team.

British Indian Ocean Territory: Visits Abroad

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2019 to Question 230785, whether the Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory plans to be accompanied by Mauritian Government officials on future visits to the Chagos Archipelago.

Sir Alan Duncan: We are continuing to keep our visit programme under review throughout the year.

Guantanamo Bay: Detainees

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on (a) the transfer of detainees to the US detention facility in Guantanamo Bay and (b) the closure of that detention facility.

Sir Alan Duncan: The UK Government's long-standing position remains that the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay should close and therefore does not support any transfers to it.

Syria: Detainees

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's policy is on the transfer of detainees in North East Syria for prosecution to authorities in (a) Assad-controlled Syria and (b) Iraq for prosecution in Iraqi domestic courts.

Mark Field: ​We wish to see those who have fought for or supported Daesh in Iraq or Syria, whatever their nationality, brought to justice for their crimes in accordance with due legal process in the most appropriate jurisdiction. We are aware of reported discussions between the detaining authorities in north-east Syria and the Iraqi authorities about possible transfer of Iraqi nationals for prosecution in Iraqi courts. We are not aware of any such discussions with the Syrian regime. Given the regime's appalling human rights record, we would not view prosecution by the Asad regime as an appropriate means of justice.

China: Ethnic Groups

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on alleged human rights violations of Muslims in Xinjiang province.

Mark Field: We have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang and the Chinese Government’s deepening crackdown; including credible reports that over 1 million Uyghur Muslims have been held in re-education camps, and reports of widespread surveillance and restrictions targeted at ethnic minorities. Visits to Xinjiang by diplomats from the British Embassy in Beijing have corroborated much of this open source reporting. Ministers and senior officials have been raising our concerns directly with the Chinese authorities for some time, and will continue to do so . I raised our concerns about Xinjiang with Vice Minister Guo Yezhou during my visit to China on 22 July 2018. The Foreign Secretary also raised our concerns about the region with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit to China on 30 July 2018. At the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council which ran from February to March 2019, Lord Ahmad raised our concerns about Xinjiang during his opening address (on 25 February). The UK also raised concerns about Xinjiang during our item 4 statement on 12 March, and we co-sponsored a side event on “Protecting the fundamental freedoms in Xinjiang” on 13 March.

Papua: Human Rights

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the level of human rights abuses against indigenous people in West Papua; and what recent representations he has made to his Indonesian counterpart on that assessment.

Mark Field: The UK Government follows the situation in Papua closely. Most recently, I raised Papua with the Indonesian Ambassador on 8 January. Officials have also pressed the Indonesian authorities to address legitimate human rights concerns, including upholding the rights of all citizens to protest peacefully, and promote the sustainable and equitable development of the provinces.

Saudi Arabia: Arms Trade

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy to suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

Sir Alan Duncan: We assess arms exports to Saudi Arabia against strict criteria. The key test for our arms exports to Saudi Arabia is whether there is a clear risk that those items subject to the licence might be used in the commission of a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law.

Cuba: Overseas Investment

Mr Paul Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues, (b) his Cuban counterpart and (c) his counterpart in the US Administration on banking measures to support British businesses in Cuba.

Sir Alan Duncan: ​The UK is aware that banking challenges remain an issue for British companies interested in doing business in Cuba; the low risk appetite of banks continue to be influenced by risks associated with potential enforcement of the US embargo and Cuban compliance standards. The Chancellor and the Secretary of State for International Trade discussed the banking challenges faced by British companies with senior Cuban officials, during the President's visit to the UK in November 2018. The UK raises its opposition to the embargo and potential further tightening of it with US counterparts regularly, including via two recent EU demarches in Washington.

Mexico: Prosperity Fund

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Prosperity Fund project entitled Promoting best practice sharing in Deepwater oil and gas exploration and development in Mexico, reference GB-GOV-PPF-MEX-000041, what (a) the total amount of funding for that project is and (b) proportion of that funding is from the Official Development Assistance budget.

Mark Field: ​The total spend on the Prosperity Fund project entitled “Promoting Best Practice Sharing in Deepwater Oil and Gas Exploration and Development in Mexico” was £59,984.26. No funding was drawn from the Official Development Assistance budget for this project.

Saudi Arabia: Human Rights

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of alleged human rights abuses committed in (a) Saudi Arabia and (b) other countries by the Saudi Rapid Intervention Group.

Mark Field: Saudi Arabia remains a Foreign & Commonwealth Office human rights priority country. The UK’s recent Universal Periodic Review statement sets out clearly the UK’s position on human rights in Saudi Arabia. We raise our concerns with the Saudi Arabian authorities using a range of Ministerial and diplomatic channels of communication.

British Nationals Abroad: Detainees

Hannah Bardell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will set out the criteria used to assess whether diplomatic protection is provided following the torture or imprisonment of a British citizen whilst overseas.

Mark Field: Diplomatic protection is a mechanism under international law according to which a State may seek to secure reparation for injury to one of its nationals, on the basis that the second State has committed an internationally wrongful act against the national. The general threshold conditions required in order for a State to consider whether or not to exercise diplomatic protection are generally accepted to be: (i) the commission of an internationally wrongful act; (ii) the exhaustion of local remedies; and (iii) proof of nationality, or, in the case of a dual national, predominant nationality. Diplomatic protection is rarely used. Any request for diplomatic protection would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

British Nationals Abroad: Diplomatic Service

Hannah Bardell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what criteria is applied to a decision on whether a British citizen receives consular assistance or diplomatic protection.

Mark Field: Diplomatic protection is a mechanism under international law according to which a State may seek to secure reparation for injury to one of its nationals, on the basis that the second State has committed an internationally wrongful act against the national. As a consequence, diplomatic protection is rarely used. Any request for diplomatic protection would be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Diplomatic protection is distinct from consular assistance where a State provides help to its nationals who find themselves in trouble in another State. The assistance the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can provide to British nationals abroad is set out in the publication: Support for British nationals abroad: A Guide.

Treaties

Neil O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 March 2019 to Question 234199 on Treaties, if he will provide a full list naming each of the 52 multilateral treaties from which the UK has unilaterally withdrawn since 1 January 1988.

Sir Alan Duncan: A full list of those 52 multilateral treaties from which the UK has unilaterally withdrawn since 1 January 1988 is attached.



Treaties the UK has withdrawn from since 01.01.88
(Word Document, 17.01 KB)

Department for International Development

Southern Africa: Storms

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much financial aid her Department plans to provide to (a) Mozambique and (b) Malawi to tackle the destruction of Cyclone Idai; and which organisations will receive that funding.

Harriett Baldwin: The UK has provided £22 million for the international response to Cyclone Idai in southern Africa, including £4m to match the UK public’s generous contributions to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s appeal. This funding is being deployed flexibly across Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe in response to the unfolding situation, with the majority allocated to Mozambique where the needs are greatest. Assistance is being delivered through UN agencies, NGOs and direct procurement, delivery and distribution of relief supplies.

World Health Assembly

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans the Government has to support Italy’s draft resolution on improving the transparency of markets for drugs, vaccines and other health-related technologies at the World Health Assembly.

Harriett Baldwin: DFID is aware that Italy has proposed a new draft resolution on pricing transparency for medicines and other commodities. We understand that it has not been formally submitted to WHO for the World Health Assembly. The UK will consider any proposed resolution on its merits, provided it follows the proper process, to ensure clarity and to enable all Member States to engage constructively.

Department for International Development: Secondment

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2019 to Question 234783 on Department for International Development: Secondment, when she will decide whether the 175 staff in her Department are placed with other Departments.

Harriett Baldwin: The 175 roles referenced in the previous answer of 20 March 2019 formed the basis of a ‘tranche’ of potential matches for DFID to consider. DFID has provisionally matched to over half of these and are focussing on progressing these matches into actual deployments as appropriate. The work to match and deploy to cross-government priorities is iterative and likely to continue in the immediate future, as DFID continues to support other government departments with increased demands.

Department for Education

Sex and Relationship Education

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will bring forward proposals to require the headteacher of a (a) primary and (b) secondary school to show parents upon request the material used in their school to teach sex and relationships education; what recent representations he has received on that issue; and if he will make a statement.

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department issues to schools on the type of (a) material and (b) publications relating to sex and relationships education in school libraries; what recent representations he has received from parents about the type of material placed in school libraries on those matters; and if he will make a statement.

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department issues to schools on the materials used in sex education in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools; what recent representations he has received on that issue from (i) hon. Members and (ii) the parents of (A) primary and (B) secondary school pupils; what response was given by his Department in each such case; if he will place in the Library a copy of each such response; and if he will make a statement.

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) Ministers and (b) officials were responsible for drafting (i) Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education, and Health Education in England Government consultation and (ii) the draft statutory guidance for governing bodies, proprietors, head teachers, principals, senior leadership teams, teachers; and which (i) organisations and (ii) individuals were consulted on the draft guidelines; known to his Department to take a (A) pro-life and (B) pro-choice view on abortion.

Nick Gibb: Sex education has been compulsory in all maintained secondary schools since 1993. When teaching sex education, schools are required to have regard to the statutory sex and relationships education guidance, which was last updated in 2000. This states that maintained schools must have an up-to-date policy, that sets out the school’s approach to sex education, that they should consult their pupils’ parents and make the policy available to parents. Governors and head teachers should discuss with parents and take on board concerns, on sensitive material to be used in the classroom.We have recently consulted on updated guidance for sex education alongside the introduction of relationships education at primary and secondary schools. On its introduction, all schools will be required to have in place a written policy for relationships education and relationships and sex education (RSE). Schools must consult parents in developing and reviewing their policy. Schools should ensure that the policy meets the needs of pupils and parents and reflects the community they serve. Schools should also ensure that the policy sets out the content of the subjects, how the content is taught and who is responsible for teaching it. The draft guidance is also clear that schools should ensure that, when they consult parents, they provide examples of the resources they plan to use, as this can be reassuring for parents, and enables them to continue the conversations started in class at home. Schools should assess each resource that they propose to use to ensure that it is appropriate for the age and maturity of pupils, and sensitive to their needs. The Department does not provide guidance to schools on what they place in school libraries as the Department believes schools are best placed to determine this.The Department conducted a consultation on the draft regulations, statutory guidance and regulatory impact assessment for relationships education, relationships and sex education and health education between July and November 2018. The drafting of the consultation and draft statutory guidance was led by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and I, with support from a small team of policy officials and an experienced Headteacher, Ian Bauckham CBE.The Department was contacted by over 40,000 individuals and organisations during the consultation process. Prior to the consultation, the key decisions were informed by a thorough engagement process. The public call for evidence received over 23,000 responses and the Department engaged directly with 90 organisations, including parents, young people, headteachers, teachers, governors, subject specialists, teaching unions, charities and faith groups. The Department has not made an assessment of their views on abortion specifically. These stakeholders can be found in the Government response to the Call for Evidence at: https://consult.education.gov.uk/pshe/relationships-education-rse-health-education/supporting_documents/180718%20Consultation_call%20for%20evidence%20response_policy%20statement.pdf.From time-to-time the Department does also receive correspondence on materials used in the current delivery of sex education and this can be due to a variety of reasons. The Department encourages correspondents to contact their school to discuss this and ensure that they are aware of the current sex and relationships education guidance. The Department would take seriously any concern regarding inappropriate materials. The Department has also received a recent petition which raised concerns about RSE resources being produced by lobby groups and external organisations. The draft guidance is clear that schools should ask to see the materials visitors will use as well as a lesson plan in advance, so that they can ensure it meets the full range of pupils’ needs (e.g. special educational needs). The Department also recognises that schools use resources from representative bodies (e.g. many Catholic and other schools draw on the model curricula provided by the Catholic Education Service.) The guidance encourages schools to draw on the expertise of the main subject associations which often quality assure third party resources. The Department is committed to supporting schools through training, further advice to improve practice and sharing of best practice, including examples of successful parental engagement. This will include advice on using quality assured, age-appropriate resources.

Pupils: Family Planning

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy to exclude the provision of counselling for (a) abortion and (b) abortifacient birth control to school pupils; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: Healthcare professionals can provide confidential sexual health advice and treatment to young people as long as they believe the young person is mature enough to understand the information and decisions involved. Schools can invite health professionals to provide advice and support on a range of issues for their pupils and we trust schools to decide what is appropriate for their pupils.Through the introduction of relationships education, relationships and sex education and health education the Department has set out the core knowledge that all pupils should be taught, whilst allowing flexibility for schools to design a curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate and taught in a sensitive and inclusive way, with respect to the background and beliefs of pupils.It is important that pupils know what the law says about sex, relationships and young people. The draft statutory guidance states that in relation to intimate and sexual relationships, including sexual health, pupils should know the facts about the full range of contraceptive choices, efficacy and options available; the facts around pregnancy including miscarriage; and that there are choices in relation to pregnancy (with medically and legally accurate, impartial information on all options, including keeping the baby, adoption, abortion and where to get further help).

Pupil Premium: Children in Care

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2019 to Question 230718  on GSCE: Children in Care, what assessment he has made of how the Pupil Premium Plus is spent in schools.

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2019 to Question 230718 on GSCE: Children in Care, what steps his Department takes to ensure that the Pupil Premium Plus is spent specifically on the needs of looked-after children.

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2019 to Question 230718 on GSCE: Children in Care, whether his Department provides guidance to schools on how to spend the Pupil Premium Plus.

Nadhim Zahawi: The pupil premium plus for looked-after children is managed by the local authority’s Virtual School Head (VSH) and is separate from wider pupil premium funding. The VSH works with the looked-after child’s education setting, using the funding to deliver the outcomes set out in the individual’s Personal Education Plan. The department has published statutory guidance for local authorities on ‘Promoting the education of looked-after children and previously looked-after children’ – this guidance includes information on both the use and management of the pupil premium plus. Further information is provided in ‘Pupil premium: Virtual School Heads’ responsibilities’ available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pupil-premium-virtual-school-heads-responsibilities. Guidance for schools, on the use of pupil premium plus, is set out in ‘The designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children: Statutory Guidance on their roles and responsibilities’. The department has not made a formal assessment of how the pupil premium plus is spent. However, Ofsted’s framework for inspections of local authority’s children’s services requires inspectors to consider the Virtual School Annual Report, which should include details of how the VSH has managed the pupil premium plus for looked-after children.

National College Creative Industries

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what firms and institutions by region the National College Creative Industries has partnered with since its inception.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will provide a regional breakdown of those firms and institutions that are currently competing to partner with the National College Creative Industries at each stage of the selection process.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the opportunity to partner with the National College Creative Industries was publicly advertised beyond the College’s own website.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the specific criteria used by the steering group to evaluate expressions of interest from potential partners with the National College Creative Industries was published prior to the submission deadline.

Anne Milton: The National College for Creative and Cultural Industries does not currently deliver its provision through any other partners. It works with a large number of employers in the sector to develop its offer. Regarding the regional breakdown of those institutions involved in each stage of the selection process, Yorkshire and the Humber and the West Midlands both have one expression of interest and London and the South East both have two expressions of interest.The opportunity to partner with the National College for Creative and Cultural Industries was only advertised on the college’s website.The criteria used to evaluate expressions of interest were based on the headings within the Expressions of Interest application form, which was completed by interested institutions.

Schools: Finance

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the savings accrued to the public purse identified by School Resource Management Advisers in relation to (a) the sale of unused buildings and land, (b) catering, (c) letting of facilities, (d) transport costs, (e) energy costs, (f) premises costs, (g) exam fees, (h) marketing, (i) recruitment and (j) IT systems and computers.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Apprentices: Expenditure

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the total spend has been  on (a) level 2 (b) level 3 and (c) above level 3 apprenticeships in each of the last three financial years; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) publishes details of apprenticeships spend in its annual reports and accounts. Overall spend for the last 3 financial years can be found at the following links: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/727363/ESFA_ARA_2017-18_WEB.pdf, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/630972/2016_to_2017_SFA_ARA_web_version.pdf and https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/630097/EFA_2016-17_Annual_Report_and_Accounts_PRINT.pdf. The ESFA does not publish spend by level of apprenticeship. Spending on the apprenticeship programme is demand-led and employers can choose the amount, frequency and level of apprenticeships that they offer.The following table provides an estimate of spend at level 2, level 3 and level 4 and above in each of the last 3 financial years alongside total published spend. Estimated apprenticeship participation spend by level from 2015-16 to 2017-18 (in millions of pounds) Financial yearLevel 2Level 3Level 4+Participation spendTotal published spend2015-16£756£638£47£1,441£1,5402016-17£771£686£75£1,533£1,6322017-18£672£724£126£1,522£1,580 The analysis provided is based on provider earnings data taken from the Individualised Learner Record and adjusted proportionately to match participation spend figures. The amount that providers claim in earnings may differ from the amount that the provider is paid following reconciliation. These estimated spend figures will therefore not fully align with actual spend. Total spend, published in the ESFA annual report and accounts, which includes participation and non-participation, is provided alongside for reference.

Free Schools: Rents

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the annual cost to the public purse of rent paid by his Department for (a) land and (b) buildings for free schools in each year since 2010.

Nadhim Zahawi: Holding answer received on 27 March 2019



The free schools programme was introduced in 2010 with the first free school opening in September 2011. As of 1 March 2019, there are 443 free schools open across the country, which will provide over 250,000 places at capacity. The department & LocatED are responsible for acquiring the land and buildings required to establish these schools, ensuring that they are located in appropriate and safe surroundings, are a good fit with the school’s educational aims and offer good value for money. In most cases, land and buildings are acquired on a freehold or peppercorn lease, however, for some schools; particularly those involving the use of temporary accommodation, the department may enter into a commercial lease. The department estimates the total rental payment for land and buildings for free schools for each academic year to be as set out in the table below. Academic YearCosts (to the nearest £100,000)2010/2011£02011/2012£0.4 million2012/2013£2.3 million2013/2014£7.4 million2014/2015£9.0 million2015/2016£10.8 million2016/2017£12.4 million2017/2018£13.6 million2018/2019 (to date)£10.6 million The department’s total rental costs for land and buildings (including for the department’s own use) are set out in the Consolidated Annual Report and Accounts.

Higher Education: Finance

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to figures published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency for 2017-18, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the increase in the number of higher education institutions in deficit.

Chris Skidmore: In the new regulatory framework, the Office for Students (OfS) has responsibilities to monitor, assess and report on the financial sustainability of registered higher education providers in England. The OfS will shortly be publishing its first report on the financial health of the sector.

Overseas Students: Visas

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on reintroducing post-study work visas for overseas students.

Chris Skidmore: The government has a strong offer for overseas students who graduate in the UK. International graduates can remain in the UK to work following their studies by switching to several existing visa routes, including Tier 2 (skilled worker) visas. The International Education Strategy, published on 16 March 2019, sets out actions to continue to provide a welcoming environment for international students and includes our ambition to increase the number of international students we host to 600,000 by 2030. The actions include extending the post study leave period for students and considering where the visa process could be improved. The International Education Strategy can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-education-strategy-global-potential-global-growth/international-education-strategy-global-potential-global-growth.Department for Education ministers have had discussions on the future immigration system with ministers from the Home Office. The immigration white paper proposes increasing the post study leave period for international students following completion of studies to: 12 months for those completing a PhD, and 6 months for all full time postgraduate and undergraduate students at institutions with degree awarding powers.The Home Office has launched a 12 month extensive engagement programme to take views from business and other stakeholders from a wide range of sectors on the Immigration white paper. In addition, it will continue to work with other government departments, to hear their priorities, concerns and ideas about the future immigration system to ensure that it is efficient and able to respond to users’ needs.

Pupil Exclusions

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many exclusions per head of population there have been in each local authority area in each of the last nine years.

Nick Gibb: The National Statistics release ‘Permanent and fixed-period exclusions in England 2016 to 2017’ includes information on the number and rate of permanent and fixed period exclusions. Exclusion rates are calculated as a percentage of the total headcount of the sole and dual main registered pupil population on roll as at January census day.The full release is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/permanent-and-fixed-period-exclusions-in-england-2016-to-2017.Information at a national level, by local authorities and by schools for each academic year from 2006/07 to 2016/17 is available in the Underlying data section of the release, in the file “national_region_la_school_data_exc1617.csv”.The Department does not publish exclusion figures as a proportion of the total population. Population estimates at a local authority level are published by the Office for National Statistics, available here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates.

Grammar Schools: Construction

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether it is his policy to allow existing selective schools to open new sites; and whether the Selective School Expansion Fund can be used to fund school expansion onto new sites.

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has received legal advice on whether expansion of existing grammar schools to new sites or campuses is lawful.

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria his Department uses to define a new school.

Nick Gibb: The Department obtains legal advice as appropriate on new policy and its application to individual cases. The Education Act 1996, defines a school as an educational institution which is outside the further education sector and the higher education sector and is an institution for providing primary education, secondary education, or both primary and secondary education. Legislation permits all categories of schools to expand onto additional sites.The selective schools expansion fund application guidance sets out that bids for expansions onto an additional site are permitted. The guidance highlights that the establishment of new selective schools is unlawful and that the Department must be confident that satellite proposals are genuine expansions and would not constitute new schools. This guidance can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/779310/Selective_schools_expansion_fund_-_Information_for_applicants.pdf.A new school can be established by following the relevant processes and legislation as published on GOV.UK as below. Opening and closing maintained schools: Statutory guidance for proposers and decision-makers can be found here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/756328/Opening_and_Closing_maintained_schools_Guidance.pdf. School Organisation (Establishment and discontinuance of schools) Regulations 2013 can be found here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/3109/contents/made. Collected guidance on opening a free school or mathematics school can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/opening-a-free-school. The free school presumption: Departmental advice for local authorities and new school proposers can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/706171/Academy_and_free_school_presumption_departmental_advice.pdf.

Sex and Relationship Education: Yorkshire

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans his Department has to ensure that relationship and sex education is LGBT-inclusive in all types of school in Yorkshire.

Nick Gibb: The Government wants all young people to be happy, healthy and safe; equipping them for adult life and to make a positive contribution to society. That is why the Department is making relationships education compulsory for all primary pupils and relationships and sex education (RSE) compulsory for all secondary pupils from September 2020. From that point, health education will also be compulsory for all pupils.Pupils should be taught about the society in which they are growing up. RSE should meet the needs of all pupils, whatever their developing identity or sexuality. Pupils should receive teaching on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) relationships during their school years. The Department expects secondary schools to include LGBT content and primary schools are encouraged and enabled to cover LGBT content if they consider it age appropriate to do so. The updated draft guidance can be accessed via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/relationships-and-sex-education-and-health-education.The updated draft guidance sets out that secondary pupils should be taught the facts and the law about sex, sexuality and gender identity. When teaching the subjects, schools should ensure there is equal opportunity to explore the features of stable and healthy same-sex relationships. This should be integrated appropriately into the RSE programme, rather than addressed separately or in only one lesson.

Schools: Insulation

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of school buildings below 18 metres in height that have aluminium composite material cladding.

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of school buildings (a) below and (b) above 18 metres in height that have high pressure laminate cladding.

Nick Gibb: Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Department contacted all bodies responsible for safety in school buildings in England, instructing them to carry out checks to identify any buildings which had aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding of potential concern so that they could be further investigated and any risks managed and dealt with appropriately and promptly. This work focussed on identifying buildings over 18 metres or with residential accommodation with ACM.The Government attaches the highest priority to the safety of pupils and staff in schools. We will continue to work across government to take forward the findings from the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety. Schools are, in general, very safe environments in this regard as they are typically occupied during the daytime and have multiple exit routes. In addition, all schools must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005), including having an up-to-date fire risk assessment and conducting regular fire drills. Details of progress to remediate buildings with ACM cladding across the country are set out in a monthly data release published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Building Safety Programme. The most recent figures are in the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-safety-programme-monthly-data-release-february-2019.

Teachers

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the February 2019 Sutton Trust report which found that disadvantaged young people are more likely to be taught by teachers with less experience and lower qualifications; and whether he is taking steps to improve teacher recruitment in disadvantaged areas.

Nick Gibb: In January 2019 the Department launched the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy which outlines four key areas for reform and investment. These include creating the right climate for leaders to establish supportive school cultures, transforming support for early career teachers, building a career structure that remains attractive to teachers as their careers develop, and making it easier for people to become teachers. Designed collaboratively with the education sector, the strategy commits the Government to creating the strongest development and progression opportunities for teachers working in the schools and areas that need them most. The full strategy can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teacher-recruitment-and-retention-strategy. As part of this, the Department is piloting two new financial incentives which encourage individuals to teach in disadvantaged areas. The Department is offering two uplifted mathematics early career payments of £7,500 rather than £5,000 to those who complete initial teacher training (ITT) and go on to teach in 39 high-need local authorities. It is also piloting teachers’ student loan reimbursement for languages and science teachers in 25 high need local authorities.The Department is also investing more in challenging areas to create enhanced development and progression opportunities. For example, the Department is investing £20 million in scholarships to drive take up of the reformed leadership national professional qualifications in the most challenging areas.The Department’s investment in Teach First (TF) also supports recruitment for schools in disadvantaged areas. The department funds TF to deliver an employment based route into teaching, with trainees completing a two year leadership development programme. It is a premium route into teaching, attracting high calibre trainees into the profession. In 2016/17, 93% of TF trainees had a 2:1 or above, compared with 73% across post graduate routes. These high quality trainees are placed in schools in disadvantaged areas that might otherwise struggle to attract this quality of applicant.The Department recognises that some schools have greater issues with recruitment and retention than others. That is why it is delivering a £30 million investment in tailored support to get more great teachers into schools in disadvantaged areas that are facing challenges with teacher supply.

Children: Day Care

Angela Rayner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2019 to Question 233582 on Children: Day Care, what estimate he has made of the funding that will be allocated to (a) 15 hours free childcare for all three and four year olds, (b) the additional 15 hours free childcare for eligible working parents of three and four year olds and (c) 15 hours free childcare for the most disadvantaged two year olds in 2019-20.

Nadhim Zahawi: The initial funding allocations to local authorities for 2019-20 are:a) £2.29 billion for the universal 15 hours entitlement for three and four-year-oldsb) £693 million for the additional 15 hours entitlement for eligible working parents of three and four-year-olds, andc) £460 million for the 15 hours entitlement for the most disadvantaged two-year-olds. Full details, including current allocations for the three additional funding streams (Early Years Pupil Premium, Disability Access Fund, Maintained Nursery Schools supplementary funding) can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dedicated-schools-grant-dsg-2019-to-2020 Final funding allocations will be based on actual take-up according to later census data.

Pupils: Sanitary Protection

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 22 March 2019 to Question 234252 on Pupils: Sanitary Protection, if he will publish the Government's timetable for the provision of free sanitary products in primary schools.

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 22 March 2019 to Question 234252 on Pupils: Sanitary Protection, what specific options his Department will consider for supporting primary school children in relation to period poverty.

Nadhim Zahawi: No one should be held back from reaching their potential because of their gender or background. That is why my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Spring Statement on 13 March 2019 that the Department for Education will lead a scheme to provide access to free sanitary products in all secondary schools and colleges in England. The scheme will be rolled out during the next academic year. As the scheme develops, we will also consider providing free sanitary products in primary schools.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Horses: Transport

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of (a) trends in the level of non-compliant movement of equines with (i) fraudulent and (ii) non-existent documentation and (b) the potential effect on biosecurity and animal welfare of conducting spot checks on equines entering at ports after the UK leaves the EU.

David Rutley: The Animal and Plant Health Agency does not hold the information requested because fraudulent or non-compliant movements are not recordable on the TRACES system. It also does not record, in most cases, the ports of departure or entry for equines moving to or from the EU. The information requested is best covered by the local authority and the Intelligence and Regulation Hub. However, horses with fraudulent or non-existent documentation that are illegally moved would be covered by equine identification legislation in England. The local authorities have a statutory duty to enforce the regulations. Also, there is statutory duty on local authorities to deliver an annual prosecutions return under the Animal Health Act 1981. This information is collated and presented to Parliament at the end of March by APHA and subsequently published (on GOV.UK). This return provides details of expenditure incurred and prosecutions taken under the Act and incidences of disease in imported animals, which details successful prosecutions undertaken by local authorities in England.

Clean Air Zones

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the average cost to (a) residents and (b) businesses of the imposition of a Clean Air Zone.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: This is a devolved matter and the below information relates to England only. Local authorities already have the power to create clean air zones. The Government is working closely with those English local authorities where exceedances have been identified to introduce measures to bring forward compliance with nitrogen dioxide limits as soon as possible. As part of the 2017 UK Plan for Tackling Roadside Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations, the Government assessed the costs and benefits of introducing a hypothetical national network of clean air zones. This work estimated the total costs to residents and business at £0.5 billion - £2 billion (central estimate £1.2 billion, 2017 prices). In developing their plans, local authorities are required to carry out a more detailed and localised assessment of the impact of their proposed measures, which may include a clean air zone, on residents and businesses.

Fruit: Imports

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether it will remain his Department's policy to retain the ban on the importation of citrus products that have been treated with (a) oxytetracycline and (b) streptomycin after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Government’s policy is to agree a deal with the EU in which case the UK will enter an implementation period. During this time, EU law will continue to apply whilst the Future Economic Partnership is negotiated. Longer term policy on plant protection will depend on the outcome of those negotiations. At the point of departure from the EU in a no deal scenario, the UK will retain current EU maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides in UK law, along with the existing regulatory processes for determining whether any new UK MRLs should be set. Oxytetracycline and streptomycin are not approved as active substances for use in the EU and no food, irrespective of its origin, is permitted to have residues at levels consistent with use of the substances. This applies to all food placed on the market, including imports. This will remain the position under UK law unless revised UK MRLs are requested and found to meet all the legal requirements. These requirements include demonstrating, on the basis of scientific data, that the proposed MRL does not put consumers’ health at risk.

Dairy Farming

Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support his Department will provide to British dairy farmers in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Government recognizes the concerns of stakeholders and is determined to get the best deal for the UK in our negotiations to leave the EU, including for our world-leading dairy sector. Whilst preparing for all outcomes, as any responsible Government would, we have also been preparing for the possibility of no deal, which is why we have contingency plans in place to minimize disruption for the food and farming sector as much as possible. We remain confident in the resilience of our agricultural sectors, including our dairy industry, and their ability to thrive outside of the EU.

Environment Protection: Finance

Bill Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of reviewing environmental funding in tandem with periodic reviews of progress under the 25 Year Environment Plan to ensure that sufficient funding is available to achieve the Government's intended environmental targets after the UK leaves the EU.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: This is a devolved matter and the below information relates to England only. The Government will report annually on progress towards meeting the goals set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan to leave the environment in a better state for the next generation. These annual reports will explore what further action is required to meet these goals including delivery mechanisms, resources and consideration of available sources of funding.

Fires

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on its wildfires review.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Defra wildfire review on our future approach to land management (in the context of future mitigation of wildfire) is ongoing. The report will incorporate evidence, reviews and guidance currently being gathered. This includes a review of evidence on wildfire and its management, including the social science behind this. This is currently being conducted by Natural England and I expect that to be published before the end of June 2019. The Defra review will then be published shortly after. This will then be used to inform future wildfire management planning. Natural England is working with the Met Office and the National Parks to objectively review the operation of the Fire Severity Index (FSI), based on the relevant science. The outcome of this review will include any recommendations for improvements to the FSI system.Defra’s Uplands Management Group are also in the process of producing moorland wildfire mitigation guidance. Furthermore, the England & Wales Wildfire Forum (EWWF) hosted a stakeholder workshop in February on behalf of Defra the outputs of which will be used to feed into the review.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to enforcement at Sites of Special Scientific Interest, how many (a) warning letters have been issued, (b) civil sanctions have been delivered and (c) prosecutions have been carried out in each year since 2013.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Natural England publishes figures on the number of enforcement actions it undertakes in its annual reports, which are publicly available online. The most recent report, which covers the period from 2008-09 to 2017-18, is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/769268/enforcement-annual-report-2017-18.pdf

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Consultants

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many consultants his Department has hired in each year since 2016; and what the cost has been to the public purse.

David Rutley: The Department does not hold information on the number of consultants hired in any one year as this work is often commissioned as part of an outcome-based contract to ensure value for money. As set out in the Department’s published Annual Report and Accounts, the amount spent on consultants by Core Defra each year since 2016 is: 2016-17 - £2,792,0002017-18 - £11,422,000 The increase reflects the need to ensure the Department draws on the best advice possible as we prepare to leave the EU.

Poultry: China

Angus Brendan MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to progress trade opportunities with China in poultry meat and breeding stock.

Mr Robert Goodwill: China is a priority market for UK food and drink exports and Defra has been working closely with the UK poultry industry and the Department for International Trade, including with colleagues in Beijing, to identify and develop trade opportunities in the poultry sector. We are currently unable to export poultry to China due to a ban which China imposed following outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that occurred in the UK in poultry from 2014-2017. We have achieved a number of positive steps towards lifting the ban, including the UK being recognised as officially free from HPAI by the World Organisation for Animal Health (the OIE) since September 2017. The UK also successfully hosted a Chinese inspection visit of Avian Influenza controls in the UK during September 2018. Whilst the ban remains in place, the Chinese inspection report was positive with regards to the strength of our HPAI controls. We will continue to work across Government and with industry to enable the ban to be lifted. Once the ban is lifted, we can progress to resuming live exports of poultry, which was an open export market prior to the implementation of the ban. Following re-opening of pre-existing trade, we can then undertake the longer process of opening a brand new market for the poultry sector, namely poultry meat exports. We will look to build on the successful visit in September 2018 of the UK AI controls to aid in providing the reassurance to China to open this new market, which would extend the range of poultry products available for UK industry to export to China.

Food: Waste

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the amount of surplus food produced in the UK; what the (a) sources and (b) destinations were of those surplus stocks; and how that estimate was calculated.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) estimates that 43,000 tonnes of surplus food was redistributed in 2017. Retail (41%) and manufacturing (54%) provided the bulk of the surplus food redistributed with the remainder mainly from the hospitality and food service sector. Charitable organisations redistributed 21,000 tonnes while commercial operators dealt with around 22,000 tonnes. Data was collected by WRAP in an annual survey of major organisations whose primary business is redistribution of surplus food. In October 2018, the Secretary of State announced a £15m pilot fund for 2019/20 to support the further redistribution of surplus food and reduce food waste. We are looking to make announcements on the successful applicants to the first tranche of funding shortly and announce new opportunities for funding in the next few months.

Fisheries: Treaties

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Government will ratify the Agreement on Port State Measures To Prevent, Deter And Eliminate Illegal, Unreported And Unregulated Fishing.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The UK Government and the European Council have reached political agreement on the text of a treaty on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU (“the Withdrawal Agreement”). The UK is currently a Party to the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (PSMA) through its membership of the EU. In the event that the UK leaves the EU without the Withdrawal Agreement being approved and ratified, the PSMA would immediately cease to apply to the UK. In this scenario, the UK would deposit its instrument of accession in time to ensure that the UK becomes a Contracting Party to the PSMA in its own right immediately upon its withdrawal from the EU.

Animal Welfare: Sentencing

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 March 2019 to Question 232542 on Animal Welfare: Sentencing, whether bringing forward legislative proposals is a priority for his Department; and what the timeframe is for the introduction of those legislative proposals.

David Rutley: We are committed to the highest standards of animal welfare and the Government has announced that it will increase the custodial maximum penalty for animal cruelty from 6 months’ to 5 years’ imprisonment as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Formaldehyde: Regulation

Ruth Cadbury: What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the regulations on formaldehyde in domestic environments.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The supply of the substance formaldehyde to consumers is banned. However, it is not restricted in articles such as MDF panels. Under the Construction Products Regulation, MDF manufactured in Europe must be labelled to European standards ‘E1’ or ‘E2’. 95% of EU companies comply voluntarily with the ‘E1’ standard, meeting World Health Organisation guidelines.

Coastal Erosion and Floods

Diana Johnson: What steps he is taking to tackle coastal erosion and flooding.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Local Authorities have direct responsibility to produce shoreline management plans covering the entire coast of England. These plans provide a long term, sustainable policy framework for local authorities, to manage the risk of coastal change over the next 100 years. Government is working closely with coastal authorities on a review of shoreline management plans to ensure they are up to date and using the best evidence. Schemes within the current capital investment programme to 2021 benefit from £1.2 billion of investment in coastal erosion and sea flooding projects which will better protect over 170,000 properties.

Incinerators

John Grogan: What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of waste incineration capacity.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: An assessment of England’s municipal waste treatment capacity – including incineration with energy recovery – was set out in the Resources and Waste Strategy and the associated Evidence Annex published in December 2018. Existing operational capacity is sufficient to treat around 36% of municipal residual waste at current levels. While energy from waste plays an important role in diverting waste from landfill, our emphasis is on greater waste prevention, re-use or recycling.

Water: Conservation

Daniel Zeichner: What plans he has to tackle water scarcity.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Government recognises continued action is required, and it is committed to a ‘twin track approach’ of managing water demand, including leakage reduction, and increasing supply, in parallel. The Government’s National Policy Statement for water resources infrastructure, currently undergoing parliamentary scrutiny, will streamline the planning permission process. The Government will also be launching a call for evidence on an ambitious target for per capita consumption in May.

Trade Agreements: USA

Liz Twist: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Trade on a potential free trade agreement with the US after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Secretary of State meets regularly with colleagues to discuss a wide range of issues on current and potential future trade agreements.

Deer: Conservation

Sir Nicholas Soames: What guidance his Department has issued to the Forestry Commission on deer culling.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Primary responsibility for deer management lies with local landowners. Defra and the Forestry Commission are members of the Deer Initiative Partnership which brings together land management and conservation organisations, with the shared goal of sustainable deer management. The Deer Initiative has produced guidance for deer managers. Defra has not issued specific guidance to the Forestry Commission, which has its own operating procedures for managing deer on the public forest estate.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Department for Exiting the European Union: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many alleged breaches of the Special Advisers’ Code of Conduct by his Department's Special Advisers have been investigated by the Minister responsible for the appointment in the last 12 months.

Chris Heaton-Harris: There have been no cases within the Department of breaches to the Special Advisers’ Code of Conduct within the last 12 months.The conduct of all civil servants, including special advisers, is taken very seriously. Special advisers act in accordance with the Special Adviser Code of Conduct, which includes clear guidance on appropriate conduct in public life.The Code can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-advisers-code-of-conduct

Chevening

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how many times that Secretaries of State for his Department have used Chevening House for (a) departmental and (b) personal use during their respective times in office since the Department's establishment in 2016; and what the duration was of each of those occasions.

Chris Heaton-Harris: Chevening House is not funded by the Government and is the responsibility of its trustees. The Prime Minister decides who occupies the building. It is currently shared by the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and the Secretary of State for International Trade.The current Secretary of State, Steve Barclay, has not used Chevening House in a professional or personal capacity.Former Secretary of State Dominic Raab used Chevening in a professional capacity once, for an afternoon.Former Secretary of State David Davis used Chevening in a professional capacity twice, for overnight stays.

Attorney General

London Capital and Finance: Company Investigations

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Attorney General, what the timetable is for the Serious Fraud Office investigation into London Capital & Finance.

Robert Buckland: The criminal investigation into London Capital & Finance Plc has only recently been announced by the Director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) who acts independently in making such decisions. It is not appropriate for me to provide a running commentary on a live criminal investigation or estimate when it will be completed. Whilst the SFO does make every effort to ensure that it progresses its investigations as quickly and efficiently as possible, its cases are by their nature complex, lengthy and resource intensive.

Criminal Proceedings: Evidence

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Attorney General, what steps he is taking to address failures relating to disclosure of evidence through the encouragement of early engagement between prosecution and defence in criminal cases.

Robert Buckland: The Attorney General’s Review of the efficiency and effectiveness of disclosure in the criminal justice system, published in November 2018, highlights the need for early engagement. The Review includes recommendations on pre-charge engagement and proportionate frontloading to ensure there is a better balance between streamlining work and performing disclosure obligations early. This National Disclosure Improvement Plan, which contains commitments made by the CPS, NPCC and College of Policing, also highlights the importance of engagement between the prosecution and the defence.

Attorney General: Consultants

Peter Dowd: To ask the Attorney General, how many consultants his Department has hired in each year since 2016; and what the cost has been to the public purse.

Robert Buckland: The Attorney General’s Office has not hired any consultants since 2016 to the present time.

Wales Office

Wales Office: Consultants

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many consultants his Department has hired in each year since 2016; and what the cost has been to the public purse.

Nigel Adams: The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales has spent £17,400 on one external consultant in 2019. The Office hired no other consultants in any other year since 2016.

Ministry of Justice

Courts: Reform

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much of the £1 billion for the courts reform programme (a) has been spent on consultancies and, (b) is projected to be spent on consultancies (i) in total and (ii) as a proportion of overall spending.

Lucy Frazer: The Court Reform Programme has spent approximately £26.4m on consultancies between 2014/15 and 2017/18. This is the equivalent of 8% of the total Reform implementation spending during this period. We are projected to spend approximately £25.7m on consultancies in 2018/19 and 2019/20. This is the equivalent of 6% of expected implementation spending during this period. We have no current consultancy commitments beyond 2019/20 to support Reform.

Prisoners' Release: Homelessness

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been assessed by Community Rehabilitation Companies and National Probation Services for a resettlement plan in the 12 weeks prior to release from prison in each of the last three years.

Rory Stewart: The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The Department regularly publishes data showing the percentage of offenders who have had a resettlement plan written by Community Rehabilitation Companies (SLM013). The latest release can be found via the following link;https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/community-performance-quarterly-update-to-september-2018 It is vital that everyone leaving prison has somewhere safe, stable and secure to live. Overcoming the many barriers offenders face to securing suitable accommodation is something that Ministry of Justice cannot do in isolation. The Secretary of State for Justice and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government are both members of the cross-Government Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Taskforce and the Reducing Reoffending Board. Homelessness of ex-offenders is a key issue that is discussed at these meetings. Through this work, we are investing up to £6.4m in a joint pilot scheme to support individuals released from three prisons, namely Bristol, Leeds and Pentonville. We have now launched our Invitation to Tender, to secure suppliers in the three pilot areas. This is a concrete step in our commitment to tackling rough sleeping.

Community Rehabilitation Companies

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Community Rehabilitation Companies in delivering resettlement plans.

Rory Stewart: The Ministry of Justice has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Offenders: Homelessness

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many former prisoners who have had support via the resettlement plan were (a) sleeping rough, (b) other homeless and (c) in unsettled accommodation after (i) four, (ii) 12 and (iii) 26 weeks in each year since introduction of Community Rehabilitation Companies.

Rory Stewart: This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. It is vital that everyone leaving prison has somewhere safe, stable and secure to live. Overcoming the many barriers offenders face to securing suitable accommodation is something that Ministry of Justice cannot do in isolation. The Secretary of State for Justice and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government are both members of the cross-Government Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Taskforce and the Reducing Reoffending Board. Homelessness of ex-offenders is a key issue that is discussed at these meetings. Through this work, we are investing up to £6.4m in a joint pilot scheme to support individuals released from three prisons, namely Bristol, Leeds and Pentonville. We have now launched our Invitation to Tender, to secure suppliers in the three pilot areas. This is a concrete step in our commitment to tackling rough sleeping.

Offenders: Electronic Tagging

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the maximum number of offenders is who can be tagged and monitored at any one time under the new national GPS tagging of offenders scheme.

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what criteria will be used to determine which offenders are required to wear (a) a new GPS tag and (b) the older type of location tag.

Rory Stewart: The current national rollout of new GPS technology, will help strengthen supervision, enforce exclusion zones and give victims greater peace of mind. Legislative and policy guidelines determine which offenders and subjects on bail are eligible to be tagged. Within this framework, decision makers will apply normal, reasonableness, proportionality and necessity tests, along with consideration of the practical outcome that the imposition of the tag is aiming to achieve. Data from the Department’s GPS pilot indicates that in steady state there will be approx 4000 location monitoring starts a year with a maximum of approx 1000 subjects on a GPS tag at any one time.

Prisoners' Release: Curfews

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average daily number of offenders on Home Detention Curfew has been in each of the last 12 months.

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether all offenders on the Home Detention Curfew scheme are required to wear a tag 24 hours a day.

Rory Stewart: Home Detention Curfew (HDC) is a robust scheme which allows prisoners to be released early and work towards rehabilitation in the community, while remaining subject to strict conditions. If they breach these, they can be returned to custody. It is not possible to provide the average daily number of offenders on HDC without incurring disproportionate costs. However, to give an indication, the table attached provides the number of offenders on HDC each week for the last 12 months. This is taken from the prison population statistics, which are published weekly and can be found on Gov.ukhttps://www.gov.uk/government/collections/prison-population-statistics All offenders released on HDC are required to wear a tag for 24 hours a day. They are subject to a curfew, which is electronically monitored through the tag. Legislation requires that the curfew period(s) must not total less than nine hours during any one day, but the general expectation is that the curfew should be set for 12 hours a day.



Table
(Excel SpreadSheet, 9.78 KB)

Young Offender Institutions

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people aged under 18 are in youth detention facilities.

Edward Argar: As of 1 February 2019 the population of the secure estate for children and young people, for under 18 year olds was 812. Statistics on Youth Custody population of the prison estate in England and Wales are regularly published and can be found at;https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/youth-custody-data These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which as with any large scale recording system are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and can be subject to change over time. We are fundamentally reforming youth custody to ensure that the safety, welfare and rehabilitation of young people are prioritised across all aspects of the system. In addition, we increased frontline Youth Custody Service staff by over a third in 2018 and are completely changing our approach by investing in Secure Schools to put education at heart of youth custody. Prisons in Scotland and Northern Ireland are a devolved matter and responsibility lies with the Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive respectively.

Crimes of Violence: Children

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people under the age of 18 were charged with common assault in 2018.

Rory Stewart: The Ministry of Justice will publish data related to prosecutions and court outcomes in 2018 on 16 May 2019. The Home Office is responsible for publishing data in relation to charges.

Harassment: Court Orders

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many restraining orders were issued in each of the last three years.

Rory Stewart: The total number of restraining orders issued at Magistrates Courts and Crown Courts in each of the last three years can be found in the table below. The Ministry of Justice will publish court outcome data for 2018 on 16 May 2019. Table 1. Number of restraining orders issued in England and Wales, 2015-2017. 20152016201723,05725,29321,207

Personal Independence Payment: Appeals

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the cost to his Department has been of personal independence payment appeals in each year since 2015.

Lucy Frazer: The information requested is not held centrally. The cost of Personal Independence Payment and Employment and Support Allowance hearings is included in the overall cost of the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support Appeal).

Ministry of Justice: Cybercrime

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many mandatory cyber security training sessions civil servants working in his Department are required to undertake.

Edward Argar: There are no mandated cyber security training requirements of civil servants within the Ministry of Justice.

Treatment of, and Outcomes for, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Individuals in the Criminal Justice System Independent Review

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment has been made of the Supreme Court Judgment given on 30 January 2019 entitled 'In the matter of an application by Lorraine Gallagher for Judicial Review (Northern Ireland) R (on the application of P, G and W) (Respondents) v Secretary of State for the Home Department and another (Appellants) R (on the application of P) (Appellant) v Secretary of State for the Home Department and others (Respondents)' on the feasibility of implementing Recommendation 34 of the Lammy Review.

Rory Stewart: Following the recent Supreme Court judgment on criminal records disclosure, we are considering outstanding recommendations for reform of the criminal records system, including those made by David Lammy MP. We are working through the detail of the Supreme Court’s judgment alongside these recommendations, and will be able to update further in due course.

Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Ruth George: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate his Department has made of the average length of time between an person appealing a decision on (a) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payments to that person receiving an outcome in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ruth George: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information his Department holds on the number of people that have waited 12 months or more from the time they appealed a decision on (a) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payments to receiving an outcome in country of the UK in the latest period for which figures are available.

Lucy Frazer: (1) Information about waiting times for appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support), including (a) Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and (b) Personal Independence Payment (PIP), is published at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics. (2) HM Courts & Tribunals Service administers appeals from appellants living in England, Scotland, and Wales (Great Britain) and not the United Kingdom. The Northern Ireland Courts & Tribunals Service administers appeals from appellants living in Northern Ireland. The data requested at 2(a) and (b) for appellants in Great Britain are not held centrally, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.  Latest figures (between April 2014 – September 2018) indicate that 3.9m ESA (post WCA) decisions have been made. Of these, 8% have been appealed and 4% have been overturned. For PIP, the latest figures (to December 2018) indicate that since it was introduced, 3.9 million decisions have been made. Of these 10% have been appealed and 5% have been overturned at tribunals.

Prisons: Discipline

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what research his Department has (a) conducted or (b) commissioned on whether the correct legal procedures are being followed in relation to adjudications in prisons.

Rory Stewart: Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service conduct regular audits of prisons which include examining whether staff employed on adjudication duties are properly trained and competent to carry out these procedures. It also reviews whether or not governors are reviewing the conduct of adjudications to ensure that they are fair, lawful and just, that punishments are normally within locally published guidelines and proportionate, and that no prisoner is charged or punished for any other reason than their disciplinary behaviour. Any deficiencies feature in the audit report and contribute to the overall audit rating for the establishment. Prison Group Directors also use the audit report to monitor any remedial action and challenge poor practice.

Prisons: Crimes of Violence

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many assaults took place in each prison in the 12 months to September 2018.

Rory Stewart: Figures showing the number of assault incidents at each prison in England and Wales between October 2017 and September 2018 are in the attached table. We have recruited over 4,700 more prison officers since October 2016, and we now have the greatest number in post since early 2012. The Challenge, Support and Intervention Plan case management process for prisoners at risk of violence has been mandated for all prisons and will be fully in place by the end of April 2019. We are improving perimeter security and using other equipment such as body scanners to address the supply of drugs. We are confident that these initiatives, together with the many other measures that we are taking to protect our staff, will reduce the level of violence in prisons.



Table
(Excel SpreadSheet, 13.37 KB)

Prisoners

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average population was in each prison in the 12 months to September 2018.

Rory Stewart: The Ministry of Justice has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Community Rehabilitation Companies: Vacancies

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the current number of vacancies is in each community rehabilitation company.

Rory Stewart: Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) contracts require each CRC to maintain a sufficient level of staff and ensure that its workforce is competent and adequately trained. CRCs have the authority to manage staff numbers as per their business and operating models. Robust assurance of performance is provided through operational contract management backed up by regular Operational Assurance audits, and Internal Audit activity as required. There is regular monitoring of service delivery, including a focus on validating published performance management information. CRC performance information showing services levels against a range of measures is released quarterly as part of the Community Performance Quarterly Management Information. We take seriously concerns raised by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) and others over staffing levels, particularly for resettlement work with prisoners nearing the end of their custodial term. The contract changes we agreed with CRCs last year include £22m per year in additional funding for Through The Gate services, which will mean approximately 500 more staff working with offenders in prison after April 2019. We are currently proposing further changes to probation after the existing CRC contracts come to an end in 2020. The proposed changes include measures to ensure the probation workforce is better supported to build their careers and deliver a high-quality service to offenders, such as introducing a standard training framework for staff and a national professional register to recognise the specialism and value of probation work.

Community Rehabilitation Companies: Probation

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average caseload is per probation officer in each community rehabilitation company.

Rory Stewart: The Ministry of Justice has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Community Rehabilitation Companies: Probation

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many probation officers worked at over 110% capacity at some point during 2018 in each community rehabilitation company.

Rory Stewart: Figures on the caseloads of probation officers are not collected centrally. A probation worker’s tasks are not based solely on the number of cases they are managing, but the level of supervision each case requires.

Ministry of Justice: Staff

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people working on developing the NOMS Digital Transformation Programme are (a) contingent labour, (b) supplier resource and (c) civil servants.

Rory Stewart: The NOMS Digital Transformation Programme (actually known as the NOMS Digital and Change Programme) constituted of a number of parts, the final one of which, Digital Prisons, was officially confirmed as closed down by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) in February 2019. There are no staff currently working on this programme.

Ministry of Justice: Staff

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people working on developing the Criminal Justice System Exchange Re-provisioning programme are (a) contingent labour, (b) supplier resource and (c) civil servants.

Edward Argar: The Criminal Justice System Exchange Re-provisioning programme completed in September 2017. There are no staff working on this programme.

Cabinet Office

Public Bodies

Deidre Brock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Government plans to publish the Public Bodies 2018 report.

Oliver Dowden: The Public Bodies 2018-19 report was published on Friday 22 March 2019. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-bodies-2018-19-report

Cabinet Office: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many alleged breaches of the Special Advisors’ Code of Conduct by his Department's Special Advisers have been investigated by the Ministers responsible for their appointment in the last 12 months.

Mr David Lidington: The department holds no central record of such allegations.The conduct of all civil servants, including special advisers, is taken very seriouslySpecial advisers act in accordance with the Special Adviser Code of Conduct, whichincludes clear guidance on appropriate conduct in public life.The Code can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-advisers-code-of-conduct

Prime Minister: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many alleged breaches of the Special Advisers’ Code of Conduct by the Prime Minister's Special Advisers have been investigated in the last 12 months.

Mr David Lidington: The department holds no central record of such allegations.The conduct of all civil servants, including special advisers, is taken very seriouslySpecial advisers act in accordance with the Special Adviser Code of Conduct, whichincludes clear guidance on appropriate conduct in public life.The Code can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-advisers-code-of-conduct

Prosperity Fund: Fossil Fuels

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2019 to Question 232546, if he will publish details of the projects relevant to the Oil and Gas Sector that have been supported by the Prosperity Fund.

Mr David Lidington: The Prosperity Fund’s energy related initiatives do not directly finance oil and gas exploration or production. They aim to help create policy and business environments that strengthen energy markets and encourage investment, in turn improving energy security and access; enabling faster transition to cleaner, low carbon, energy and greater energy efficiency. Breakdown of Official Development Assistance spend is published quarterly as part of the Prosperity Fund’s Transparency commitments. This can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/787922/prosperity-fund-oda-data.ods Some of the activities required to deliver secondary benefits to business are not eligible for ODA funding, therefore the Fund includes a small component of non-aid funding (approximately 3% of the total Fund) to capitalise on opportunities generated through ODA funded initiatives in line with the UK Export Strategy. Non-Official Development Assistance projects relevant to the Oil and Gas Sector for 2018, can be broken down as follows: MexicoMexico Oil and Gas Supply Chain Mapping£67,955Health, Safety and Environment Seminar£10,000UK Capabilities in Mexico’s Oil and gas sector£9,000ChinaUK-China commercial collaboration on unconventional Gas£19,882A visit by the UK Onshore Oil and Gas (UKOOG) to meet with key players in China to demonstrate UK’s expertise, leading commercial offer and advantages.£7,000IndiaOil & Gas Technology and Services Market Research£86,645BrazilPF 6th Edition UK Energy in Brazil Conference£29,625.24Oil and Gas market opportunities assessment£28,655.83 For more information on the Prosperity Fund and its programmes please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cross-government-prosperity-fund-programme

Government Departments: ICT

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which projects within the Government Major Project Portfolio are categorised as ICT projects.

Oliver Dowden: Data on projects within the Government Major Project Portfolio (GMPP) is published annually, most recently in July 2018. GMPP projects are categorised as ICT based on the main element of the project but there will be other projects with an ICT component. As of July 2018 the 29 projects within the GMPP categorised as ICT projects are as follows: IT Infrastructure Sourcing ProgrammeNHS e-Referral ServiceEcho 2 ProgrammeDigital Services at the BorderFuture Beyond Line Of SightNew Style of Information Technology (Base)CJS Common PlatformLocal Land Charges (LLC) ProgrammeGovernment as a PlatformGov UK VerifyDEFRA UNITY PROGRAMMEHealth & Social Care NetworkCUSTOMS DECLARATION SERVICES (CDS) ProgrammeMaking Tax Digital for BusinessTechnology Platforms for TomorrowMetis ProgrammeImmigration Platform Technologies (IPT)National Law Enforcement Data ProgrammeCriminal Justice System Exchange Re-provisioningFuture IT Sourcing Programme (FITS)IT Transformation ProgrammeFoxhound ProgrammeNHSmail 2National Data Services Development ProgrammeTechnology OverhaulColumbus (formerly Aspire Replacement Programme)Communications Capabilities Development ProgrammeHome Office Biometrics ProgrammeShared Services (ISSC2) Evolve

Government Departments: Social Media

Helen Hayes: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the social media policy for HM Government accounts.

Chloe Smith: HM Government social media accounts are managed by civil servants, who adhere to the principles of the Civil Service Code and Social Media Guidance for Civil Servants. Individual departments are responsible for administering their own social media policies.

Government Departments: Staff

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people working on the FOXHOUND Programme are (a) contingent labour, (b) supplier resource and (c) civil servants.

Mr David Lidington: FOXHOUND is a Cabinet Office-led, cross-government IT programme to develop and deploy a new secure capability for managing sensitive information, including that which is classified up to and at SECRET. As a classified programme it would not be appropriate to provide details of the scale and resource the Programme engages. That said, the Programme is led by civil servants and the capability has been developed in-house, drawing on contractor resource only where absolutely necessary. The development and delivery costs are competitive set against the more traditional outsourcing approach.

Public Sector: Procurement

Jo Platt: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion of public sector buyers utilise the Digital Marketplace.

Oliver Dowden: All sales information from the Digital Marketplace is available publicly, including the buyer. This can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/digital-marketplace-sales

Electronic Government: Electronic Signatures

Jo Platt: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what relationship the Government plans to have with the eIDAS scheme after the UK has left the EU.

Oliver Dowden: ‘eIDAS’ refers to EU Regulation No 910/2014 on electronic identification and trustservices for electronic transactions in the internal market. The UK will continue tocomply with the eIDAS Regulation during any agreed transition period. Agreementon the future relationship between the UK and EU is subject to negotiations.

Suicide: Wakefield

Mary Creagh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people have died by suicide in Wakefield Clinical Commissioning Group by (a) age and (b) gender over the last five years.

Chloe Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Response
(PDF Document, 145.2 KB)

House of Commons Commission

Members' Staff: Mental Health

Dr David Drew: To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, what training and support is available to hon. Members' staff on suicide awareness.

Tom Brake: There are three courses available to support Members’ staff whose roles bring them into contact with vulnerable people:Conversations with vulnerable people – which includes how to engage with someone who may present with suicidal feelings; Building emotional resilience – which seeks to develop the emotional skills required to cope with the personal stress of handling emotive situations; and Mental health awareness – which includes being aware of suicidal feelings.  The training is provided by the Samaritans and Mind and is delivered on demand both in Westminster and in City locations around the UK.Support for Members’ staff is available through an Employee Assistance Programme provided by Health Assured. This is a free confidential helpline that is available 24/7 for all Members’ staff provided on behalf of the House that allows staff to discuss and seek advice on personal and professional issues, including stress at work. Additionally, face-to-face counselling sessions can be offered where appropriate.

Members: ICT

Rosie Cooper: To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment has been made of the success of the roll-out of updated IT equipment for Members and their staff, to enable them to work as efficiently as possible in responding to, and resolving, constituents’ cases.

Tom Brake: The Commons Members Hardware Refresh project is upgrading all hardware loaned to Members returned at the 2017 General Election. Hardware will be upgraded to more up to date kit with Windows 10 deployed, which is faster and more secure. Combined with the rollout of digital tools such as Office 365, SharePoint and Skype for Business, this means easier collaboration on constituency matters and new ways of working between Westminster and constituency offices and staff.Since November 2018, 725 orders for new kit have been processed and 438 deployments completed across Westminster and in constituencies. The project is on track to complete by the end of July 2019.